Huskies Secure First Defensive Commit in 2022 Class From Utah DT
By the start of June, usually Washington has secured at least one commitment from a defensive prospect in at given recruiting cycle.
However, for a variety of factors – the Covid-19 pandemic being one primary reason – it took longer than any previous year for UW to secure its first defender in the 2022 class.
This past weekend the coaching staff hosted seven official visitors, six of which came to campus uncommitted.
Late Sunday night three-star Salt Lake City (Utah) East defensive tackle Ben Roberts became the sixth pledge for the Huskies in this years’ class and the first commit on defense.
“To start it off I want to thank my Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to provide for my family. All glory goes to him. I wanna thank all the universities that have recruited me, it was a humbling experience. My family and friends thank you for cheering me on and off the field. I would not have been able to get through this process without the love and support I have from you all. I personally would like to thank the Matich family for taking me in as their own, coach and r. Matich it’s been a hell of a ride. All the lectures, the grade checks and the many scarifies you both have made for me has been the biggest blessing. Alofa Atu Coach and Dr. Matich. My siblings; David, Jacinta, Joe and Nana, thank you for being my heroes. Mom, I can’t thank you enough. You worked multiple jobs, so I could have a roof over my head and cloths on my back. Last but not least, dad, thank you for always pushing me to be the best. I wouldn’t ask anybody else to be my parents. After everything you guys taught me… everything is paying off. I can’t believe I am halfway there. Love you mom and pops.
“With that being said, with a lot of thought and prayer, I’d like to say I AM COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON!! GODAWGS,” Roberts wrote in a post on Twitter.
Roberts, listed at 6-foot-4 and 290-pounds, is a former teammate of freshman defensive end Voi Tunuufi, who enrolled prior to the start of spring practices after signing as part of the 2021 class.
The addition of Roberts and his familiarity with other defensive linemen on the current UW roster helps start a solid foundation for the Huskies to build the class from the inside out.
It also gives DL coach Rip Rowan his first commitment since being hired as a full-time assistant in February. Roberts is ranked as the No. 7 prospect from the state of Utah and a top 40 prospect at his position in the 2022 class based on Rivals’ rankings.
Rivals’ National Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney examines how Roberts should fit in the Huskies defense.
“Roberts does a lot of work from the defensive end spot, but my guess is the 6-foot-4, 290-pound prospect moves inside for the Huskies and is just as productive,” Gorney said.
“Washington has had so much success over the years developing undervalued defensive linemen like Roberts. Guys who produce on the field time and time again, but don’t land all those major national offers. Roberts is quick. Powerful. He can beat offensive linemen in a multitude of ways and this a very nice pickup for Washington and coach Jimmy Lake.”
Roberts was the only interior defensive linemen on an official visit this past weekend. Before he got on campus he did his homework, not just on the school and the coaches, but even some of the other UW commits in the 2022 class.
During a group portion of the weekend Roberts approached Parker Brailsford, one of the offensive line commits in the class who was on campus for an unofficial visit and mentioned a game between their respective high schools back in 2017, which East won 35-14 at Saguaro.
That Leopards team featured senior Sam Taimani and Tunuufi, a freshman at the time, both of whom are now on the same team again at UW. It was an interaction that showed just how invested Roberts is in the program prior to his commitment becoming official, and it made an equally high impression on the Brailsford family.
Roberts fills one of two expected defensive tackle spots for the Huskies in 2022.
UW also hosted a pair of edge rushers, four-star Tevarua Tafiti and three-star Lance Holtzclaw, and having the interior linemen now in the fold can help the effort with other defensive targets.