UW’s new QB, defense for the Ducks, ASU stays hot

The Hotline is delighted to provide Pac-12 fans with a regular dive into the recruiting process through the eyes and ears of Brandon Huffman, the Seattle-based national recruiting editor for 247Sports. He submitted the following report on May 8 …

QB dominoes

The week was filled with commitments, especially those sourced in the transfer portal. But the biggest news at the high school level was Washington landing its second quarterback commitment in the 2025 class.

The Huskies already held a pledge from Dash Beierly from Mater Dei, the prep powerhouse in Santa Ana. He originally committed to coach Jedd Fisch at Arizona and quickly switched to the Huskies once Fisch was hired.

On Tuesday, though, UW added a second passer in the class, this one in the form of the reigning Gatorade State Player of the Year for Hawaii: Treston Kini McMillan, a three-star recruit from Mililani High School.

With the Huskies losing Dylan Morris and Austin Mack and 2024 signee Dermaricus Davis entering the portal (more on him later), they needed quarterbacks — even after getting Will Rogers to transfer in from Mississippi State.

McMillan provides vital depth.

Portal movement

Davis, the former UW signee, didn’t go far. In fact, he’s that much closer to home. The Southern California product entered the portal after coach Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama, then took his name out of the portal when Fisch recruited him back to Seattle.

But after Demond Williams emerged from spring practice as a legitimate candidate for UW’s starting job, Davis re-entered the portal. He didn’t have to wait long for an option. UCLA pursued him immediately, and he committed.

Davis isn’t the only former Husky quarterback who found a home with an outgoing Pac-12 school.

Sam Huard, the former five-star prospect and Husky legacy who had one ill-fated start as a true freshman in 2021 — and was then beaten out by Michael Penix — announced this week that he’s headed to Utah.

Huard transferred to Cal Poly, where his former high school head coach, Sheldon Cross, was the offensive coordinator. After throwing 18 touchdowns last season, Huard put his name back in the portal.

A return to Washington was a possibility while Iowa, Northwestern and Connecticut also pursued Huard. He opted for Utah, where he’ll provide depth as a backup to starter Cameron Rising.

Safety at Stanford

The Cardinal picked up a pair of commitments this week — both from safeties and both from out of state.

Donte Utu, a three-star prospect from Punahou HS, the famed Honolulu power, pledged to the Cardinal on Monday. A day later, another three-star recruit, Omari Gaines from Newark, N.J., did the same.