Bulabalavu Among 3 UW Commits To Earn Coveted 4th Star Before Signing Day

One of Washington's promising recruits continues to build on his talent ranking.

When Ratumana Bulabalavu committed to Washington in late June, the 3-star defensive lineman from Southern California was one of the most productive pass rushers in the state.

Playing for Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, California, Bulabalavu finished with 23 sacks during his junior season and followed up with 19 in his senior campaign. As early signing day looms on Wednesday, Bulabalavu has been rewarded for his production, earning star No. 4 out of 5 from the recruiting analysts at 247 Sports.

Bulabalavu becomes the 30th-ranked player in California while the 6-foot-4, 260-pound pass rusher brings a promising skill set to coach Kalen DeBoer's team. He possesses an explosive first step off the snap and the versatility to line up anywhere along the defensive front.

His rise in the rankings also is a testament to recruiting director Courtney Morgan and his Washington staff, who identified Bulabalavu early on in the recruiting process.   

He received a scholarship offer from UW defensive-line coach Inoke Breckterfield last February and committed four months later after taking official visits to Washington, Arizona and Oregon State. Bulabalavu wasn't alone in receiving a major bump in the ratings either. 

Defensive lineman Dominic Kirks from Riverside High School in Painesville, Ohio, and quarterback Dermarcius Davis from Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California, each received a 4th star, as well, and have helped move Washington's recruiting class to 31st in the country.

The three join offensive lineman Paki Finau at Oak Hills High School (Calif.) and Noah Carter, a Centennial High edge (Ariz.) rusher Noah Carter, who each previously were rated as a 4th star, with Carter pegged as the nation's 96th overall player at the top of Washington's recruiting class.

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