Blue-chip recruit Jalanie George opted to commit to the Wisconsin Badgers over the Huskies.
The Washington Huskies football team have had a noticeable uptick in recruiting success since head coach Jedd Fisch was hired ahead of the 2024 season.
The Huskies' Class of 2026 ranked 12th in the country, which was the highest ranking received in the program's history, and the '27 class currently ranks 23rd in the nation per the 247Sports composite.
Washington looked to have a potential strong start lined up for the Class of 2028, but lost out on a potential blue-chip prospect to a Big Ten rival.
Five-star edge rusher Jalanie George announced his commitment to the Wisconsin Badgers on Thursday amidst a final four that included the Huskies, Auburn Tigers and Miami Hurricanes.
Earlier this summer, George was predicted by recruiting analysts to commit with Washington, but Wisconsin managed to force itself back into the race for the five-star edge rusher.
George attends Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Ariz. Both the Huskies and the Badgers have future players committed who attend the same school: UW has earned commitments from four-star quarterback Blake Roskopf and three-star wide receiver Zerek Sidney.
Wisconsin has commitments from four-star defensive lineman Yahzeen Zion and three-star linebacker Nathan Jones. Another Desert Edge High School alumni, linebacker Jon Jon Kamara, is currently on the Badgers roster.
The Badgers hosted George for an official visit in September, and landed back among the 6-foot-5, 245-pound edge rusher's final four. The official predictions for his commitment subsequently shifted from Washington to Wisconsin following the official visit.
George is currently ranked as the 27th-best player in the national, the seventh-best edge rusher in the class and the third-best player in Arizona, per the 247Sports composite.
With George now off the board, the Huskies will now shift their focus in their among Class of '28 edge rushers to another player in Arizona.
Landen Wade has also been a player on UW's radar. He attends Basha High School in Chandler, Ariz., and is listed at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds.
Wade is ranked as the 20th-best player in the class, the fifth-best edge rusher and the second-best player in Arizona, per the 247Sports composite.
Wade is ranked as the 25th-best player in the class, the fourth-best edge rusher and third-best player in Arizona, per Rivals Industry rankings. He received an offer from Washington on May 14.
The edge rusher is still fielding offers from various programs. The Oregon Ducks are currently the early front-runners to land Wade, per On3's prediction model at 25.8%.
Wade is set to begin his official visits soon, but currently doesn't have the Huskies scheduled. He took an unofficial visit to Oregon's game against the Boise State Broncos on Sept. 5 and will visit the Texas A&M Aggies on Oct. 3, the Arizona State Sun Devils on Oct. 10 and Oklahoma Sooners on Sept. 17.
