The Washington Huskies football team has made a noticeable return in in-state and in-region recruiting since head coach Jedd Fisch took over the program ahead of the 2024 season.

In the last three recruiting classes (2025-27), the Huskies have landed the top player in Washington. For the Class of 2027, Washington has landed the top two players and nearly landed a third in four-star offensive lineman Rashaun Lavata'i (who ultimately committed to the Washington State Cougars).

One of the top two in-state players recruited by UW is now slated to miss his senior year of high school.

Per a report from Todd Milles for Varsity WA News, four-star wide receiver Braylon Pope underwent shoulder surgery Thursday, which will keep him out through the fall.

Pope reeled in 52 catches for 869 yards (16.7 yards per catch) and 12 touchdowns in 13 games for Sumner his junior season last fall, per MaxPreps. He took his official visit with UW the first weekend of June.

Pope attends Sumner High School in Sumner, Wash., roughly a 45-minute drive from the Huskies' home turf on Montlake.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound pass-catcher chose to stay in his home state state over opportunities to go to other notable programs, including Miami, BYU, Arizona State, Oregon and Southern California (USC), among others.

Pope is ranked as the 201st-best overall player, 28th-best wide receiver and best player in Washington in the class, per the 247Sports composite.

Pope was also the first player to commit to Washington among its current crop of '27 graduates. He announced his intention to join the Huskies on Dec. 15, 2025.

Pope was the first of 22 players who are currently committed to Washington and was also the first of a stacked wide receiver class. Four-star wideouts Tre Moore, Zerek Sidney and Dontay Tyson Jr. are also committed to UW.

The Huskies are attempting to add another wide receiver to the mix of the four current committed players. UW missed out on Zion White, who committed to Cal, and are attempting to land Osani Gayles, who will announce his commitment at 12 p.m. PT.

If Washington is unable to land Gayles, it's crop of wide receiver commits will likely stand at the aforementioned four, barring an unexpected flip.

Based on the past, if Pope's surgery doesn't impact his ability to enroll early or participate in practices before his first college year in 2027, he could have an opportunity to compete for playing time as a true freshman.

Sophomore Dezmen Roebuck finished second on the team in receiving yards last season and Class of 2026 recruit Jordan Clay is a candidate to start at outside receiver next year.

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