Tucker Nearing Decision

In the last month and a half Chance Tucker has seen his recruitment skyrocket.

The 6-foot-1 cornerback out of Crespi High School (Encino, California) landed offers from Washington and Notre Dame almost two weeks apart between late May and early June. Since then Tucker has taken virtual tours of both schools and gained a greater knowledge of each.

UW hosted the talented defensive back on June 24 and made a strong impression.

“They did a great job,” Tucker said that afternoon. “I learned a lot about their culture there, as well as how they develop their players for football and life after football.”

Head coach Jimmy Lake had a one-on-one meeting with Tucker near the end of his tour and made it clear how much the Huskies desire to have him in their 2021 class. There is also another unique connection that Lake and Tucker could share, if he chooses to play for UW.

During his first stint at the university as a defensive backs coach in 2004 under Keith Gilbertson, Lake coached Dashon Goldson for his junior season before he moved on to coach at Montana State the following year.

Goldson, who went on to have a nine-year career in the National Football League playing for the San Francisco 49ers (2007-2012), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013-13), Washington Redskins (2014) and Atlanta Falcons (2016), coached Tucker during his sophomore year at Crespi.

“It’s definitely going good. My interest in them is very high as well,” Tucker said of the Huskies earlier this week.

“I felt love from all the coaches, especially coach Lake. He was great. I talked with him personally and he also talked with my parents. It was awesome. Great coach and even better guy.”

Tucker reiterated that he is still looking to have a couple more conversations with other schools, but the three-star defensive back. The Fighting Irish appear to be battling the Huskies for his commitment, but they aren’t the only two schools he’s considering.

“It was awesome. Very impressive,” he said of ND. “I learned a lot about their program. Besides seeing all their great facilities and stuff I learned a lot about their culture there, the coaches there and really how they do things. They’re more of a get-it-done type of school and you know that if you go there, you’re going to sacrifice a lot and work very hard to succeed.”

Arizona, Colorado, Northwestern, Oregon State and Washington State are also in play for the three-star recruit. Tucker stated he has three main factors when evaluating the schools on his list.

“First of all, I want to go somewhere where they have great academics but that also has a great football program where I’ll be able to make an impact. I also want to go somewhere where the people are good people and be able to develop me not only as a player, but also as a man.

"And then lastly, I’d say being able to get a true college experience.”