Bios of Washington signees

Derrick Brown

Quarterback, 6-3, 239

Murrieta, Calif. (Murrieta Valley)

Originally committed to Utah before changing his mind and signing with UW. Fits mold of dual-threat QB, rushing for 1,037 yards last season and throwing for 1,601 and 19 touchdowns. Can also punt and will be in the competition for that job. Ranked as the No. 21 QB in the country by ESPN.com. "He possesses a lot of physical qualities we are looking for," UW coach Steve Sarkisian said. "He's a really unique kid."

Dexter Charles

Offensive tackle, 6-5, 280

Stanwood (Camano Island

All-State by both the AP and The Seattle Times. Ranked the No. 41 offensive tackle by ESPN.com. Sarkisian said he was a player UW "earmarked early on" and that after Charles committed last spring he helped develop camaraderie among the other in-state commits. "He's athletic for his size and he's still growing into his body," Sarkisian said.

Connor Cree

Defensive tackle, 6-5, 225

Skyline (Sammamish)

Helped perennial power Skyline win state titles as a sophomore and junior. A Times red chip pick and the No. 56 DE in the country by Rivals.com. "He possesses a lot of the defensive end characteristics you are looking for," said Sarkisian. "I love the kid because of his heart, work ethic and the program he is coming from."

Travis Feeney

Linebacker/safety, 6-4, 201

Pinole Valley (Richmond, Calif.)

Originally committed to Arizona before changing his decision last week. No. 3 player on the Contra Costa Times' "Cream of the Crop" list of Bay Area recruits. MVP of the Alameda Contra Costa Athletic League. "He's a freakish athlete, very physical for the wiry body he possesses," Sarkisian said. "The speed, power, explosion he possesses is something we were looking for."

Jarett Finau

Linebacker, 6-3, 235

Juanita (Kirkland)

First team all-state by The Times. Played mostly as an upright linebacker in a 3-4 defense and the Huskies might look for him to fill a role as an edge rush passer. Also played tight end and originally was recruited by schools for that side of the ball but will start out on defense for UW. Was in UW's summer camp and Sarkisian said he "showed a tremendous work ethic, a lot of character and heart. He's a very versatile guy."

Marvin Hall

Wide receiver, 5-10, 168

Dorsey (Los Angeles)

Caught 31 passes for 673 yards and nine touchdowns and also returned kicks and punts and could have an immediate impact as a returner. An LA Times All-City Section second-team pick as a receiver. "He's a real speedster," Sarkisian said, saying Hall can run a 10.4 100 meters. "He can really fly."

Jamaal Jones

Wide receiver, 6-2, 180

Graham-Kapowsin (Spanaway)

Missed senior season due to a shoulder injury that led to some thought he would delay enrollment. But he will be on full scholarship beginning in the fall. Despite injury, ranked the No. 110 WR in the country by Scout.com and a red-chip pick by The Times. Also fits the mold of recent UW receivers by being a good basketball player. "He's a long kid, basketball-player type, really good range," Sarkisian said.

Scott Lawyer

Outside linebacker, 6-2, 197

Oak Grove (San Jose, Calif.)

Had 69 tackles and seven sacks as a senior and also played receiver in being named second-team All-Area by The San Jose Mercury News. Made 90 tackles, with eight sacks and 23 receptions as a junior. Will get first look as an edge pass rusher and outside linebacker. "He's a real speed demon," Sarkisian said. "If there's one word that describes him, it's speed."

Matthew Lyons

Outside linebacker, 6-2, 188

Dorsey (Los Angeles)

A first-team All-City pick by The LA Times at linebacker. Had 117 tackles and four interceptions as a senior and 135 tackles and four fumble recoveries as a junior. Rated the No. 61 OLB by Scout.com. Sarkisian said his nickname was "Hit Man." Said, "I've never seen so many helmets knocked off in one highlight film." Another who will get a look as a rush end/linebacker.

Joshua Perkins

Wide receiver, 6-4, 198

Gahr (Cerritos, Calif.)

Receiver who committed early and then saw his stock rise when he caught 70 passes for 1,072 yards and 11 touchdowns. Had 12 catches for 170 yards in a game. Ranked the No. 64 WR in the country by ESPN.com. At 6-4, would be the tallest receiver on UW roster. "He has tremendous leaping ability, excellent hands, long arms," Sarkisian said. "He brings some different attributes."

Marcus Peters

Cornerback, 6-0, 179

McClymonds (Oakland, Calif.)

Narrowed choices to UW, Arizona State and Oregon State. From same high school as NBA great Bill Russell and baseball Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, among others. Named MVP of the Oakland Athletic League. Had seven interceptions and scored six touchdowns on returns, and figures to get a look as a returner. Versatile athlete who also played WR, emergency quarterback and kicked. "It was a dogfight to get him here," Sarkisian said. "At the end of it all, everyone in the country was calling him. He's big, physical, has a real physical nature at cornerback." Said that physicality at cornerback is what UW is looking for in attempting to play more man coverage.

Dezden Petty

Tailback/fullback, 6-0, 213

Gardena, Calif.

Rushed for more than 1,400 yards, with 19 touchdowns as a senior. Originally committed to San Diego State before getting UW offer. Said grandfather was a big Huskies fan. Sarkisian compares him to former USC fullback Stanley Havili. Reportedly first player from his high school to get a D-I offer since receiver Damon Mack signed with UW in 1988. Could be used at tailback or fullback. "He's got a lot of versatility," Sarkisian said.

James Sample

Safety, 6-2, 191

Grant (Sacramento)

Made commitment to UW official during national TV telecast of U.S. Army All-American Game. Helped Grant shut out Bellevue in Seattle, 14-0, in 2009. Had 109 tackles as a senior and rated the No. 9 safety in the country by Rivals.com. Played for a perennial power that went 25-2 his last two seasons. "He's a big, beautiful-looking guy," Sarkisian said. "He's 6-2, if not taller. Tall, rangy, can play man coverage and then knock a guy's helmet off on the next snap."

Bishop Sankey

Running back, 5-10, 194

Gonzaga Prep (Spokane)

Made much-hyped switch from WSU to UW last week. A Times blue-chip pick. Career rushing leader in the Greater Spokane League with 4,355 yards and had a high of 359 in one game. Season GSL record with 2,518 yards as a senior. Sarkisian noted his ability to run in traffic and with speed and said, "He has a lot of versatility to his game and I'm not sure if everyone knows that about him." Could also get a chance at returning kicks.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins

Tight end, 6-6, 250

Gig Harbor (Fox Island)

Among the more highly-touted of UW's recent signees, rated No. 32 overall by Scout.com and 39 by Rivals.com. Should fill an immediate need at tight end and will enroll in time for spring practice. Finished with a school-record 126 catches, 62 as a junior, when he also had 1,152 yards and 11 touchdowns. Named to The Long Beach Press-Telegram's Best in the West first team. "He's a freakish talent," Sarkisian said. "He's got amazing feet, amazing hand-eye coordination, the ability to time jumps. They just don't make guys like this all the time." Committed in August and resisted overtures from the likes of Texas.

Danny Shelton

Defensive tackle, 6-3, 300

Auburn

The top-rated lineman in the state this year, seriously considered Oregon before picking the Huskies in late December. First-team all-state on both sides of the ball and a Times blue-chip pick. Twice named the South Puget Sound League 4A North's offensive and defensive lineman of the year. "He's the real deal inside," said Sarkisian. "A real beast. He's a guy who should have an immediate impact in our program."

Antavius Sims

Quarterback/cornerback, 6-2, 200

Ventura CC (Americus, Ga.)

Played QB at Ventura in 2009 and 2010 but also is considered a prospect to play cornerback. Got an offer from UW on signing day and quickly committed after having previously been committed to UTEP. Threw for 1,956 yards and rushed for 1,014 last year at Ventura and will get looks on both sides of the ball. Could develop as a spot player at QB in Wildcat-type looks. "I'm sure we will have some QB stuff for him on the call sheet, as well," Sarkisian said.

Siosifa Tufunga

Guard/center, 6-1, 297

Jordan (Long Beach, Calif.)

From same high school as 2010 signees John Timu and Princeton Fuimaono as well as UW recruiting coordinator and DL coach Johnny Nansen. Was the Moore League's offensive lineman of the year. Rated the No. 83 guard prospect by Scout.com. "He hasn't played a whole lot of football," Sarkisian said. "He's a bright young man and a tremendous student and has got a great upside."

Taniela Tupou

Defensive lineman, 6-2, 265

Archbishop Murphy (Marysville)

One of five Times blue-chip picks to sign with UW. Named to the 2A all-state first team as a defensive lineman and second team as a tight end. Played in the Team USA vs. the World game on Wednesday. Another who impressed the Huskies while in their summer camps. "He dominated football games at his level yet in camp he dominated as well," Sarkisian said. "He has a tremendous work ethic."

Corey Waller

Outside linebacker, 6-2, 210

Long Beach (Calif.) Poly

Battled nagging injuries throughout his senior season but first got on the recruiting radar during a standout junior year when he had 82 tackles and 10 sacks. Also considered California, among other schools. "The first thing about him is he really knows how to rush the passer," Sarkisian said.

Kasen Williams

Wide receiver, 6-2, 210

Skyline (Sammamish)

Among the more highly-touted players to sign with UW in recent memory, earning honors as the Parade Magazine player of the year, among numerous accolades. Son of former UW WR Aaron Williams (1979-82) committed to UW in August in a celebration at Skyline High School. Finished career with 235 receptions for 4,121 yards and 56 touchdowns. The Times' state player of the year. "He can run, he can jump, he's physical, he's extremely competitive," Sarkisian said. "I think he has the potential to have an immediate impact."

Evan Zeger

Safety, 6-2, 200

Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas)

Played at Skyline before moving to Las Vegas after junior season. Helped lead Bishop Gorman to a 13-2 record and the Class 4A State title. Father, John Zeger, lettered at UW as a safety in 1980-81. Rated the No. 28 safety in the country by Rivals.com and No. 35 by Scout.com. "He's another big, physical safety with room to grow," Sarkisian said.

Bob Condotta