Tyrone Willingham’s impact on the University of Washington football program may not be immediately evident on the field this season, but it’s already being felt off the field.
With verbal commitments from three top high school recruits already in hand, the Huskies reeled in their biggest catch Sunday night when Ferndale High School quarterback Jake Locker committed to play at Washington.
Locker is considered one of the nation’s top quarterback recruits, with Rivals.com ranking him the No. 1 quarterback on the West Coast and Scout.com listing him as No. 2. Locker is a supremely talented all-around athlete who earned all-state honors at quarterback and safety and is also a standout return man.
Locker said he had 17 firm scholarship offers but, after visiting Oregon State last weekend, decided that Washington was the place for him.
“I didn’t want location to be a factor in my decision, but it was,” said the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Locker. “I’ve always lived in the Northwest and I decided I wanted to be close enough where my family could come see me play and I could still go see them. I just felt most comfortable at Washington.”
Verbal commitments are not binding. Players can sign a letter of intent beginning Feb. 1. But that isn’t the only date Husky coaches and fans will have to pay attention to in regards to Locker, who led Ferndale to the Class 3A state championship game last year (the Golden Eagles lost to Bellevue). Locker is also considered one of the state’s top baseball prospects. He is a pitcher whose fastball has been clocked in the low 90s and his athletic ability makes him an exciting outfield prospect. Some area scouts say Locker could be a first- or second-round draft pick in next June’s amateur draft. Washington previously lost high-profile recruits Matt Tuiasosopo and Grady Sizemore to professional baseball.
Locker, though, says he’s committed to football, though he wouldn’t close the door on baseball. He also said the potential is there for him to play both sports at Washington.
“My focus is on football right now,” Locker said. “But I can’t say that I won’t consider baseball. I’m just going to see how things go. But right now, my plan is to play football.”
Locker had scholarship offers from national powers Michigan and Tennessee, and was also considering USC, among other schools. He is valued for his versatility. He has the arm (1,314 yards, 16 touchdowns last year) and the legs (987 yards, 13 touchdowns) to be a dangerous weapon in a Husky offense badly in need of playmakers.
Locker’s football talent comes as no surprise. His uncle Pat Locker was Western Washington University’s Player of the Century who was a first-team NAIA All-American and the first player in Northwest collegiate history to rush for over 4,000 yards. Jake’s dad Scott and two other uncles also played at WWU. His cousin Brady Locker is a talented running back who will be a junior at Ferndale this year. But Jake would be the first in his family to play at a NCAA Division I school.
Washington has already received commitments from Pasco offensive lineman Ryan Tolar, Ferris defensive tackle Cameron Elisara and Cordova (Calif.) running back James Montgomery. Next in line is Bellevue offensive lineman Steve Schilling and O’Dea defensive back/wide receiver Taylor Mays, considered, along with Locker, the state’s top prospects.
“I’ll definitely be in touch with those guys,” Locker said. “We’re all used to winning and we’ve talked about how fun it would be to do that together on the same team.”
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