Austin Mack, nation's No. 7 quarterback in 2024, commits to Washington Huskies

Folsom (California) four-star quarterback Austin Mack committed to Washington over California, Oregon, Oregon State and Stanford

The Washington Huskies have shown dramatic improvement under Kalen DeBoer and that showed up in the 2023 recruiting class ranking with a top-30 national recruiting class.

But there was still room for improvement, as the Huskies failed to sign a signed top-200 prospect in 2023.

It appears that won't be a problem for the class of 2024.

On Wednesday, Folsom (California) four-star prospect Austin Mack, the nation's No. 53 overall prospect and No. 7 quarterback, announced his commitment to Washington over fellow finalists California, Oregon, Oregon State and Stanford.

For Mack, his January unofficial visit to Seattle proved to be crucial to his decision.  

“I was going there to feel it out a bit more, especially with their whole situation of not signing a 2023 (quarterback) and Sam Huard entering the transfer portal,” he said. “It was really a chance to talk to the coaches about if I did end up (committing) what would happen and what would that situation look like. It was really just seeing where I stood."

Turns out, the 6-foot-6, 220-pound signal-caller stood firmly in Washington's camp.

Upon returning home, Mack discussed his feelings with family and those closest to him before informing the Washington coaching staff that he was ready to be a Husky. 

According to Folsom coach Paul Doherty,, Washington is getting a smart, talented leader for their program. 

“[Mack is] just a really good football player,” he said. “He understands the situation, he understands the game, the down, the distance. He understands offense, he understand what we’re trying to do, how we’re trying to do it, when we’re trying to do it — it’s decision making, timing, accuracy, being able to run an offense.”

Doherty also said when they quiz Mack on his decision-making- he threw for 3,498 yards and 40 touchdowns with just five interceptions as a junior - he always has a good answer.

“He’s 6-6, 220 pounds and plays incredibly well from the pocket, but he’s incredible athletic and can make plays out of the pocket," Doherty said. "His decision making… we say he’s not just book smart, he’s street smart, football smart… and that allows him to execute at a really high level.”

Mack is Washington's third commitment in the class of 2024, joining Garfield (Washington) three-star quarterback E.J. Caminong and Liberty (Nevada) three-star athlete Landon Bell.

Junior season highlights