Two top recruits commit to UW

Lakes High School seniors Kavario Middleton and Jermaine Kearse, two of the state's most highly-recruited football players, have committed to the University of Washington, Lakes coach Dave Miller confirmed Thursday afternoon.

"They're very, very confident with the direction that the program's going with coach Willingham," Miller said.

Middleton, the consensus top-rated player in the state, plays tight end and defensive end. Kearse plays wide receiver and defensive back. Miller said the two liked the idea of helping make Washington, which hasn't been to a bowl game since 2002, a winning program again.

"These guys are winners," Miller said. "They feel like they can contribute to helping the guys that are already there get back on a winning track."

Kearse and Middleton will have a news conference at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon at the high school.

UW also received a commitment this week from Prosser receiver Cody Bruns. Eighteen players have committed to the Huskies, including Kentwood running back Demitrius Bronson, two of the state's top offensive linemen in Evergreen's Senio Kelemente and Eastlake's Drew Schaefer, and Craig Noble, a highly-rated defensive tackle from Woodland Hills, Calif.