ILB Brandon Kaho commits to Washington Football recruiting class of 2018

Inside linebacker Brandon Kaho surprises everyone by decommiting from Brigham Young University after an official visit to the Washington Football team, and committing to the recruiting class of 2018

The story of how Brandon Kaho, a four-star prospect, came to commit to the Washington football recruiting class of 2018 is a tale worth telling.  You see, he is an inside linebacker who had originally committed to Brigham Young University months ago. In fact, he committed to BYU on June 16, 2016.

But that commitment did not convince other colleges he was off the market. First came an offer from UCLA, followed closely by an offer from the University of Washington. All told, he amassed interest from 14 collegiate football programs, with offers from 13 schools: including Alabama, Notre Dame, and USC.  He chose the program which best fit his needs.  He committed to the Washington Football Team recruiting class of 2018.

Thunder… and lightning

We’ve talked about the boom that M.J. Tafisi brings when he unloads on a ball carrier.  Like the clap of thunder at point blank range, the sound sends chills to all who hear it. But what is thunder without the even more dangerous lightening.

Brandon Kaho delivers the lightening.

Thunder and lightening. Two of the most powerful forces of nature. In a thunderstorm, thunder hits you all over, shaking you to your core. Lightening happens in an instant, flashing at one point and everywhere simultaneously.  With the Washington Football team linebacking corps losing both Azeem Victor and Keishawn Bierra to graduation, the team needed to reinforce the ranks.  Kaho plus Tafisi appear to do just that.

A huge plus for the Huskies

The fact is that Brandon Kaho is the 18th player to commit to the Washington Football team’s recruiting class of 2018.  Offensively, the recruiting class is loaded with talent.  Defensively, the team still has some needs.  Of seven defenders, 2018 is shaping up with four linebackers, two defensive ends, and one cornerback.  That means the drought of defensive tackles will likely continue for another season.

Still, the one defensive lineman at risk of ending up in the 2018 NFL Draft is Vita Vea.  As of today, expectations are high for the return of DT Greg Gaines for his senior season. And with Gaines, the hope is to place premium linebackers behind him to take advantage of his block-gobbling strength up front.  But it was more than a chance to showcase his talents at Washington. Kaho focused on the academics, a huge advantage for any football player looking for a career after football.

Academic excellence, plus…

He found academic excellence at Washington. Well that, and the opportunity to play alongside family. At least, that is how he described his decision to Blair Angulo of 247Sports.com:

"“The education at U-Dub is awesome and I love Seattle,” Kaho said. “It’s close to home and it’ll be special for me to be able to play with my second cousin, MJ Tafisi, and Sam Taimani, who I’m very close with.”"

Kaho’s commitment pushes the Washington class of 2018 to the tenth ranked class of the nation, and the top draft class of the Pac-12.

Next: Washington Football recruits ILB M.J. Tafisi to class of 2018

The Huskies have four seniors departing after this year. Bierra, Victor, Connor O’Brien, and Sean Constantine.  With the addition of Brandon Kaho, the class of 2018 will restock the linebackers to full strength.

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