2017 Washington LB Signee Joe Tryon Motivated, Excited For Next Chapter
Less than one month before signing day it only took eight days for Hazen senior defensive end Joe Tryon to flip his commitment from Washington State to Washington.
The Huskies coaches showed significant interest in the three-star recruit, per Rivals’ rankings, throughout the fall and hosted Tryon for several unofficial visits during the 2016 season. Due to limited scholarships in the class UW couldn’t offer until later in the recruiting process.
Once the offer came from head coach Chris Petersen on January 5, Tryon quickly knew where he truly wanted to play for the next four years.
“It was crazy,” Tryon told Rivals.com looking back on the final month of his recruitment. “I didn’t think I was going to get the chance to stay home, and be 15 minutes away from my house.”
Throughout most of his recruitment UW defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and defensive line coach Ikaika Malloe served as the two assistants mainly involved in the process. Beyond coaching, the overall quality of the program and comfort level that sold Tryon on the Huskies.
“Just the atmosphere of the place,” Tryon said. “I went to a couple games and the atmosphere was great. The hospitality of the coaches and what they’ve been able to do over the past four years, along with what coach Petersen offers, it sold me on the program and made me want to go there.”
Tryon will play as a BUCK linebacker in Washington’s defensive scheme. Being an athletic DE the transition from a hand-in-the-ground player to a stand up rush-outside linebacker hasn’t been hard, but this summer his focus is on getting even better.
At 6-foot-6 and 253-pounds Tryon admittedly added some weight during his off-season training to get his condition as close to college ready as he can before enrolling at UW in June.
Tryon is training with Tracy Ford who heads Ford Sports Performance in Bellevue, Washington, and has trained several top local athletes including Budda Baker, Myles Jack and other current NFL players.
“It’s been really exciting being at that program I’ve gained so much,” Tryon said. “Getting to the level – a college level – so I’m looking forward to getting my body right before heading to UDub.”
Before evening playing a snap of college football there is already some friendly animosity built from Tryon’s decision to sign with UW over WSU. With the Apple Cup already circled for November 25 and there is a little more motivation to continue the Huskies current four game win streak against the Cougars.
Kelle Sanders, a three-star DE from River Ridge High School (Lacey, Washington) and friend of Tryon’s who signed with WSU in 2017, made sure Tryon knew his feelings for his college decision.
“I feel like it’s going to be fun,” Tryon said with a light-hearted smile. “Some feelings are going to be there. It’s going to be more than any game. The emotions are definitely going to be behind it as well.”