Mason Kelley, Reporter, Recruiting Nation 11y

Huskies add to momentum with Mathis

After all of his success bringing top-tier prospects to Cal and now Washington, Tosh Lupoi has earned his reputation as one of the nation’s top recruiters.

The defensive line coach is in the middle of helping the Huskies secure another top 25 class. It should come as no surprise he has done very well recruiting the position he coaches.

When Joe Mathis (Upland, Calif./Upland) gave Washington a verbal commitment Saturday at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, he became the sixth defensive lineman -- four tackles, two ends -- to join the program’s 2013 class.

Lupoi has stocked the program with talent along its defensive front.

Mathis originally committed to the Huskies in October 2011, but later decided to open things up. He ended up back where he started. The four-star standout is a key commit for the program.

Rated the No. 251 prospect in the ESPN 300, Mathis and Elijah Qualls (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) -- rated No. 212 -- make a potent pair of defensive tackles that fill a position of need for Washington.

The Huskies now have landed five prospects in the ESPN 300 -- Mathis, Qualls, receiver Damore’ea Stringfellow (Moreno Valley, Calif./Rancho Verde), quarterback Troy Williams (Harbor City, Calif./Narbonne) and receiver Darrell Daniels (Oakley, Calif./Freedom). Washington doesn’t seem to be done working on adding to its impressive haul, especially when it comes to defensive linemen.

The program remains a finalist to add Eddie Vanderdoes (Auburn, Calif./Placer), the nation’s No. 4 defensive tackle, in addition to targeting defensive end Austin Hooper (Concord, Calif./De La Salle), who is also a member of the ESPN 300.

Washington has made a point to pursue national names -- Mathis also had offers from programs like Alabama and Michigan. The Huskies want to sign the top talent in California. Their top six commits are all four-star prospects plucked from that fertile state.

The addition of prospects like Mathis shows that, despite still working to take the next step on the field, Washington continues to build momentum in recruiting.

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