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Washington got a commitment from four-star defensive lineman Jon Ioane out of Tustin (CA) on Thursday, adding to an already stellar 2027 class that looks like it could outpace even the Huskies' program-best 2026 class if their commitments continue developing across their senior year.
Ioane immediately becomes the Huskies' most high-profile recruit on board, and for good reason. The first thing that stands out on his high school film is his overwhelming power, which frequently knocked opposing offensive linemen to the ground or multiple yards into the backfield.
The rising senior is quick off the ball, too, though. His timing of the snap is that of a more advanced player and he has the natural quickness to avoid being blocked entirely on a number of plays. That skill also allows him to traverse gaps laterally against the run, where he also has the length to lock out offensive linemen and then find his way to the ball.
Perhaps it's because Ioane dabbled at quarterback as a sophomore, but he has a great feel for where a ballcarrier wants to go. His film is riddled with examples of Ioane finding not only his lane, but the lane that a quarterback or running back will try to get to because of his pushing of the pocket. Ioane has the pop in his hands to shed blocks and get to that secondary lane often, which led to a lot of his splashier plays as a junior.
Ioane also does a great job of showing his hand late, a skill that many high school players have yet to develop. In space, he holds his blocker until he's certain which way a ballcarrier is coming, then peeks and sheds to make the play. That skill is amplified by his power over his opponents, which may be equalized a decent amount in the Big Ten, but is still a high-level trait that makes clear why he was such a prized recruit.
While he primarily lined up over the guard, Ioane flashed the ability to play over the tackle or as a true nose tackle. His athleticism will probably best be used in that B-gap role, however, similar to how defensive coordinator Ryan Walters deployed Anterio Thompson in 2025. Ioane brings a similar violence against the run and pass rush upside as Thompson did, but his high-level recognition of the game at this stage is what makes him such a highly touted prospect.
Washington restocked their defensive tackle room with Darin Conley and Kai McClendon in the portal and TI Umu-Cais, JD Hill, and Ta'a Malu from the prep ranks this offseason, and highly touted in-state product David Schwerzel could play on the interior as well. Elinneus Davis and Omar Khan also return for the Huskies and have eligibility in 2027. Even still, Ioane's feel for the game is good enough that he could grab a rotational role as a freshman before stepping into a legitimate starting role by his second or third year on campus.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: What new UW commit Jon Ioane brings to the Huskies' defensive line
Continue reading...
Ioane immediately becomes the Huskies' most high-profile recruit on board, and for good reason. The first thing that stands out on his high school film is his overwhelming power, which frequently knocked opposing offensive linemen to the ground or multiple yards into the backfield.
BREAKING: Four-Star DL Jon Ioane has Committed to Washington, he tells me for @Rivals⁰⁰The 6’3 305 DL from Tustin, CA chose the Huskies over UCLA, Cal, Penn State, and Stanford
“Something about that Purple Rain, Go Dawgs!️”⁰https://t.co/BU3p6R5jjnpic.twitter.com/0fGS8eEPC4
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) March 26, 2026
The rising senior is quick off the ball, too, though. His timing of the snap is that of a more advanced player and he has the natural quickness to avoid being blocked entirely on a number of plays. That skill also allows him to traverse gaps laterally against the run, where he also has the length to lock out offensive linemen and then find his way to the ball.
Perhaps it's because Ioane dabbled at quarterback as a sophomore, but he has a great feel for where a ballcarrier wants to go. His film is riddled with examples of Ioane finding not only his lane, but the lane that a quarterback or running back will try to get to because of his pushing of the pocket. Ioane has the pop in his hands to shed blocks and get to that secondary lane often, which led to a lot of his splashier plays as a junior.
Ioane also does a great job of showing his hand late, a skill that many high school players have yet to develop. In space, he holds his blocker until he's certain which way a ballcarrier is coming, then peeks and sheds to make the play. That skill is amplified by his power over his opponents, which may be equalized a decent amount in the Big Ten, but is still a high-level trait that makes clear why he was such a prized recruit.
While he primarily lined up over the guard, Ioane flashed the ability to play over the tackle or as a true nose tackle. His athleticism will probably best be used in that B-gap role, however, similar to how defensive coordinator Ryan Walters deployed Anterio Thompson in 2025. Ioane brings a similar violence against the run and pass rush upside as Thompson did, but his high-level recognition of the game at this stage is what makes him such a highly touted prospect.
Washington restocked their defensive tackle room with Darin Conley and Kai McClendon in the portal and TI Umu-Cais, JD Hill, and Ta'a Malu from the prep ranks this offseason, and highly touted in-state product David Schwerzel could play on the interior as well. Elinneus Davis and Omar Khan also return for the Huskies and have eligibility in 2027. Even still, Ioane's feel for the game is good enough that he could grab a rotational role as a freshman before stepping into a legitimate starting role by his second or third year on campus.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: What new UW commit Jon Ioane brings to the Huskies' defensive line
Continue reading...
