Washington Lands Its First 2026 Recruiting Commitments

Washington picked up its first two commitments from the class of 2026 recruiting cycle over the past week. It began with the number one player in Oregon, Ansu Sanoe, announcing his commitment on social media. Sanoe is a four-star high school running back listed as an athlete on the major recruiting sites. He is ranked 15th at his position nationally according to 247 Sports. Four days later, Washington landed the country’s fourth-ranked kicker in CJ Wallace. 

Four-Star Ansu Sanoe – ATH

The Huskies’ first pickup of the 2026 cycle was the running back from Lakeridge High School in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Sanoe is the number one player in his state for the class of 2026. His two years of high school numbers back it up. After his freshman season at Lakeridge, Sanoe was named to the MaxPreps 2022 High School Freshman All-American Team at the tight end position. Sanoe also lined up at running back, linebacker, and on special teams that season. In 2022, he rushed for seven touchdowns and caught two more. A year later, Sanoe scored eight touchdowns on the ground. 

It’s still early, and 2026 rankings are volatile, but the foundation that Sanoe gives to the 2026 Washington recruiting class is significant. Jedd Fisch and the coaching staff believe in their implementation of a physical running game and a more pro-style approach to the offense. Offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll discussed his vision of a pro-style offense after the team’s second Spring practice. It’s offense that is built on a physical run game presence, as the team expects to have this season.

Sanoe is a physical runner, listed at 6’-1” and 220 pounds as a sophomore in high school. His tape shows a running back that does not go down upon first contact and can get moving downhill quickly. Sanoe also shows physicality as a blocker on the outside. His work at tight end and at linebacker speaks to his versatility and physicality as a football player. 

CJ Wallace – K

Washington has its kicker of the future after landing the commitment from Wallace on Monday, April 8th. Wallace currently kicks for St. John Bosco as a backup. He did see time in six varsity games as a sophomore in 2023 where he went six for six on extra points and averaged 52 yards per kickoff. Wallace does not have a star rating on the major recruiting sites. He does, however, kick for Chris Sailer Kicking camps and competitions, and maintains the fourth-ranked spot on the kicker rankings for the class of 2026. Of the list of rankings, he is the only one in his class with an offer. 

Wallace’s national ranking is built on his strong leg at kicker. He has shared videos on social media of himself nailing kicks from 55, 57, and 62 yards. It is not a regular occurrence for Washington to offer a kicker a scholarship during recruiting. The team’s current placekicker, Grady Gross, was a walk-on who earned his scholarship after kicking the game-winning field goal to beat Washington State last season.