On Friday afternoon, Washington welcomed the 16th member of its 2025 recruiting class. Caleb Smith announced his commitment to play for the Huskies amidst a flurry of commitment announcements for the Washington program. The Huskies were tracking four potential recruits making their college decisions on Friday, and Smith was the only one to choose Washington, while the other three opted for different schools.
Caleb Smith Commits to Washington
After an official visit to Washington during the weekend of June 21st, defensive lineman Caleb Smith decided to commit to the Huskies on Friday afternoon. His final decision came down to Purdue and Washington, with Smith having visited Purdue the week before his trip to Seattle. Both programs showed strong interest in the Alabama native from Parker High School in Birmingham. Smith announced his commitment via social media, pledging to play football for the Washington Huskies.
Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 265 pounds, Smith is a versatile defensive lineman who can play both on the EDGE in a two-point stance and on the interior in a three-point stance. His high school footage shows a player who is effective in both positions, though he is projected to play as an EDGE at the college level. Smith demonstrates explosiveness upon the snap, delivering hard, physical hits to running backs and quarterbacks when he penetrates the backfield.
On the EDGE, Smith showcases patience with his RPO reads, avoiding premature moves and maintaining good arm separation from blockers. This enables him to shed blockers efficiently and make plays on the ball carrier. His ability to disrupt plays and get his hands in passing lanes adds to his defensive prowess. Smith’s athleticism also suggests he could potentially transition to a hybrid linebacker role. His versatility makes him a valuable addition to the Huskies’ defensive front.
Prospects Commit Elsewhere
Smith was among four players announcing their college commitments on Friday. Five-star cornerback Dijon Lee Jr. chose Alabama over Washington and other finalists, including Texas, Georgia, USC, and Texas A&M.
Four-star defensive lineman Josiah Sharma committed to the Oregon Ducks, having previously been committed to Washington before reopening his recruitment. Sharma received offers from Texas, Oregon, and Alabama and made his commitment live on YouTube.
Three-star offensive lineman Darius Afalava, the number four player in Utah, announced his commitment to Oklahoma. Despite his cousin Champ Taulealea’s recent commitment to Washington, Afalava chose Oklahoma over Washington, Utah, and Michigan State.
