Kai Wesley, UW Tight-End Target, Makes Good Cover Story

Originally posted on Washington Huskies on SI
By Dan Raley | Last updated May 31, 2025 2:56 PM ET

In February, Kai Wesley showed up on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

OK, it was a mock deal.

Likely the handiwork one of those eager recruiting hounds who does quid pro quo favors -- which is trade high-end graphic work for the right to call high school recruits at any hour.

Except in this instance, the 6-foot-7, 240-pound Wesley, a tight end from Orem, Utah, looked like he belonged on the front of that make-believe SI magazine and consequently merits some further attention from this Washington Huskies on SI website.

On Thursday, Wesley revealed his five college finalists: Baylor, Boise State, Colorado State, Florida State and Washington.

The Huskies, with Jordan Paopao riding point, have made the three-sport athlete one of their Class of 2026 football priorities.

where’s home? #blessings @DeanMakeStuff @NilxGroup @OremHSFootball pic.twitter.com/aQPvmFgbKs
— Kai Wesley (@KaiWesley23) February 4, 2025

Paopao has showed up in picturesque Orem, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and located 45 miles south of Salt Lake City and seven miles north of Provo, and watched Wesley play basketball and baseball.

The Husky tight-ends coach came through there 12 days ago.

The UW also brought the 3-star prospect in for spring football and, while most recruits tend to wander around somewhat anonymously, Wesley was noticeable for his great size and his shock of bleached-out hair.

It was like, who is that?

where’s home???@CoachPaopao @CoachKaufusi @CoachJLAnderson @CallieCam_ @ThomsenChris @PrestonB49 @GrantChesnut @Matty_AhYou @CoachPotter73 @BlairAngulo @BrandonHuffman @adamgorney @ChadSimmons_ @ambermathurin @OremHSFootball @SWiltfong_ @Andy_Pham1 @flxmgmt pic.twitter.com/EOcRapsTFR
— Kai Wesley (@KaiWesley23) May 30, 2025

Next weekend, Wesley will be back in Montlake, taking an official visit with the Huskies.

While his receiving numbers were modest for the 9-3 Orem Tigers -- 18 catches for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns -- the immediate draw to this kid is his top-end size and athleticism for a tight end.

The Huskies have been pursuing him aggressively since last October, when he came to Seattle for the Michigan game, which the UW won 27-17, and he received a scholarship offer.

The UW has even done the Wesley family one better than that, already offering a scholarship to one of Kai's three brothers, 6-foot-4, 200-pound Steeler Wesley, a tight end/wide receiver from the Class of 2028.

Maybe someone should get another mock SI magazine cover ready.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

Husky Roster Review: Kai Horton is UW Spare Tire

Tacario Davis Feels Whole Lott of Love, Makes Award Watch List

Huskies Release 4 Kickoff Times -- Some Are Really Late

This article first appeared on Washington Huskies on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: