Washington Target Keona Wilhite Recaps Unofficial Visit

The 3-star edge rusher took in the Huskies' big win over Oregon.

The Washington Huskies hosted close to 50 recruits on unofficial visits for their matchup against the Oregon Ducks and among them was 3-star edge rusher Keona Wilhite, a member of the class of 2024. 

On. Oct. 2, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound product of Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, Arizona, de-committed from the University of Arizona and the Huskies are heavily in the mix to land his services.

Co-defensive coordinator William Inge said on Monday he hoped the environment at Husky Stadium on Saturday sent a message to recruits, adding that Washington is "the best place to play football on the West Coast." 

Wilhite seemed to get that message.

"Washington was amazing," he said in an interview. "The fans were great, the atmosphere was crazy."

Wilhite has developed a strong relationship with edge-rushers coach Eric Schmidt, his primary recruiter.

"I love coach Schmidt," he said. "We talk three or four times a week and he's always helping me improve my game. I also really like the way he utilizes and develops his edge rushers."

One of the edge rushers Schmidt helped develop is Bralen Trice, who's also from the state of Arizona. Wilhite got a chance on his visit to speak with arguably Washington's best defender, who made his sales pitch to the 3-star prospect.

"He told me a lot about how Washington can take my game to the next level," he said.

Like Trice, Wilhite said his best attributes on the field are his power and speed. One of his goals at the college level is to improve his hand fighting, which is one area in which Trice has made major progress while working with Kalen DeBoer's staff.

What a game! Thank you ⁦@Coach_SchmidtE⁩ ⁦@KalenDeBoer⁩ and ⁦@UW_Football⁩ for the game day hospitality feels like home! #DawgHouse pic.twitter.com/wvwx878J5B

— Keona Davis (@KeonaDavis34) October 16, 2023

Wilhite said that he isn't planning on committing until the end of his high school season — which will wrap up by early December — and Washington isn't the only school trying to secure his services.

Other suitors are UCLA, Oregon State, Arizona State and Michigan.

Washington's coaching staff has put together a strong recruiting class for 2024 to this point, especially along the defensive line. It's highlighted by another Arizona native, 4-star edge rusher Noah Carter of Centennial High School, and Wilhite would be a welcome addition to it.

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