Washington Football Recruiting: Joseph Wicker Decommits

Justin Hopkins of 247 Recruiting tweeted today that Class of 2014 defensive lineman Joseph Wicker has decided to decommit from Washington. Wicker committed back in June on the day he was offered, and Hopkins made it clear that Wicker is making the move in order to keep his options open. That information suggests that he simply got a little carried away in the excitement of a big offer. Opening up his recruitment allows him to more fully enjoy the recruiting process without feeling the pressure of his prior commitment.

It may not be good news for the Huskies, but I personally think that pulling back a verbal commitment is the most mature thing for a committed recruit to do when he develops honest interest in other programs. Of course, it’s very common for players to commit and then still go on several official and unofficial visits to other schools. Even committed players that don’t go on visits are often pursued intensely by rival coaches. But regardless of how backhanded the recruiting game can be, I see this move as a responsible way to handle things.

It will be February of 2015 before anyone knows for sure where Wicker will play his college football. Perhaps he’ll go on his visits and do some soul searching and recommit to Coack Sarkisian’s program in the months to follow. Maybe he’ll choose somewhere else to play. For all we know he could pull a Jordan Payton and switch back and forth between three or four different programs. Recruiting is just too crazy for anyone to get worked up over losing a recruit that still has two full seasons of high school football to play.

Wicker is 6’3″ and 260 pounds and is currently rated four stars by 247, the only site that has given him a rating. ESPN has offers listed from Washington and Miami (FL), while Rivals includes an offer from Arizona.