Washington Huskies defensive coordinator Ryan Walters has hit the ground running on the recruiting trail. On Thursday, three-star defensive lineman Tufanua Ionatana “TI” Umu-Cais from Cherry Creek High School in Englewood, Colorado, announced he had received an offer from the former Purdue head coach.
Standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 307 pounds, Umu-Cais is ranked as the No. 36 defensive lineman nationally and the No. 2 player in Colorado. His recruitment has gained significant momentum, with 22 offers from programs like Auburn, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and USC.
Umu-Cais is also the sixth-highest-ranked defensive tackle west of Texas, a position increasingly difficult to recruit on the West Coast. With three of the top five players already committed to Oregon, he has become a priority target for Jedd Fisch’s staff.
His game film underscores his potential. Umu-Cais demonstrates impressive agility for his size, showing explosive power and quickness off the line, allowing him to penetrate the backfield with ease. He also exhibits advanced hand technique, and while his pass-rush repertoire from the interior is still developing, his technical foundation suggests a high ceiling at the college level.
While Washington can recruit edge rushers locally, securing at least one or two impactful defensive tackles will be critical, and Umu-Cais is likely to emerge as a top priority in this recruiting cycle.
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