Washington DL Target Ratumana Bulabalavu Is Rising Fast

The Huskies want to beef up the defensive line as much as possible with the class of 2024.
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Defensive-line coach Inoke Breckterfield has been tasked with rebuilding the depth along Washington's defensive front in 2024. One prospect who clearly stood out in his evaluation is pass rusher Ratumana Bulabalavu from Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad, California.

Bulabalavu was the Sunset League's Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 after recording a jaw-dropping 22.5 sacks. He currently holds seven offers, including Arizona, Arizona State, Oregon and Utah. He also is scheduled to take an official visit to Washington on June 23.

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Although Bulabalavu hasn't garnered a lot of national interest just yet during his recruitment, he's someone that could blow up nationally with just how physically dominant he is on tape. 

At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, he plays with rare speed for his size while also displaying a little bend in his hips off the edge. Even though he's shown to be very productive on the edge, his best position at the college level might be at defensive tackle.

He has a frame that looks like it can carry another 30 pounds or so while still retaining athleticism. He combines his great speed with an excellent first step that he routinely uses to beat interior offensive linemen.

As he continues to add power and a deeper pass rush arsenal to his game, he is going to be a major mover in the national recruit rankings. Bulabalavu has currently been given an 87 grade by 247 Sports, but is not ranked by their Composite or nationally.

If the Huskies can secure a commitment from Bulabalavu, they'll be getting a talented player.

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Roman Tomashoff
ROMAN TOMASHOFF

I've followed the Huskies for my entire life, and to be in a position where I get to cover them full-time is nothing short of an honor. After graduating from Lasell University in 2019, I moved to Seattle to pursue my dream of working in sports media. While writing for the Husky Haul, I also covered local sports for the Everett Daily Herald before the COVID-19 pandemic. After being hired by Realdawg.com in February of 2021, I also transitioned into doing a lot of entertainment writing, as I work on a variety of magazines as a contributing writer for Centennial Media, and have also contributed to Emmy Magazine, as well as Walt Disney Television Studios.