The 2012 Northwest Nuggets

ZACH BANNER

OT, Lakes(Lakewood)
6’9”, 330
Considering: Oklahoma, Southern California, Washington

Ever since he was offered a scholarship by Washington after his freshman season, Banner has been on the radar of Husky coaches and fans. His legend, like his massive frame, has grown throughout high school.

Now, as the last of the elite, uncommitted in-state prospects, Banner has drawn the target of being a must-get recruit for the Huskies.

A member of the Lakes basketball team, Banner played a non-league game at Alaska Airlines Arena on Monday. UW coaches didn't let the opportunity to show their appreciation for Banner escape. At least six coaches, including head coach Steve Sarkisian, watched. And during most of the first quarter coaches were stationed at three of the four tunnels that lead to the court.

Banner noticed the turnout, but after the game gave no indication to what school he's leaning toward. Banner took an official visit to USC this weekend and plans to make public his decision on signing day.

WALKER WILLIAMS

OT, Tacoma Baptist
6’7”, 320
Committed to: Wisconsin

When Williams explains the massiveness of Camp Randall Stadium or the appeal of the University of Wisconsin to friends, he knows he can't do it justice.

That's why he's going to bring a few friends with him when he visits Wisconsin for its spring football game.

"They're going to get to see what Wisconsin is all about," he said.

The trip is also one of the last chances Williams will have to spend time outside of school with good friends. After graduating from Tacoma Baptist on June 15, Williams will report to Wisconsin on June 18 to begin the summer semester.

"That will be one of my last hurrahs,' he said.

Williams understands there's a good possibility he'll redshirt next season, but that won't affect his competitive outlook.

"It doesn't change my mentality," he said, "whether I redshirt or compete for a spot."

JOSHUA GARNETT

OL, Puyallup
6’5”, 300
Considering: Michigan, Notre Dame, Stanford

Garnett has completed one step in the recruiting process – he is finished with official visits. All that's left is the major part – choosing a college.

The elite offensive lineman – Garnett can play tackle or guard – has narrowed his focus to three. After hosting in-home visits with head coaches from each school Garnett will make his decision public at 3 p.m. Thursday at a ceremony at Puyallup High.

"I want to have friends and family experience it," he said. "Do it big and bring some publicity to the school and players so everyone can be a part of it."

Garnett said three main factors drove his decision to pick between his three finalists.

"I want to go somewhere I can win games and go to bowl games, pursue premed and get on the field as early as I can," he said.

Garnett knows his mom, dad and sister will be relieved once the he commits to a school.

"I think they're going to be happy once signing day comes around and we can finish everything up," he said.

KEIVARAE RUSSELL

RB, Mariner (Everett)
6’0”, 180
Committed to: Notre Dame

Choosing Notre Dame was a no-brainer for Russell.

Not only are the Irish one of the most tradition-laden programs in all of college sports, providing what Russell hopes to be an exciting and fun time at the Indiana campus, but Russell is confident he'll leave Notre Dame with a degree.

"The graduation rate was 97 percent last year and 96 percent the year before. Those are facts," said Russell, who played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. "A lot of schools will tell you they have an academic support system, but the graduation rates are 65 or 25 percent. That's not support."

There's another perk, albeit a one-time thing, of playing for the Irish that Russell is looking forward to – Notre Dame will open the 2012 season by playing Navy in Dublin, Ireland.

"I can't wait to go over there," he said. "That is going to be fun."

KOREY DURKEE

P, Gig Harbor
6’5”, 215
Committed to: Washington

A life-long soccer player, Durkee turned out for the football team at Gig Harbor on a whim.

"I had a strong leg and coach (Darren) McKay had seen me on the soccer field a few times," Durkee said. "It was my sophomore year and I thought why not give it a try?"

Two years later, Durkee has accepted a scholarship at the Washington. Durkee is the first punter or kicker the Huskies have signed out of high school since kicker Erik Folk in the 2007 recruiting class.

Durkee will punt for UW, but it's possible he could take on kicking duties, too.

"We'll see what happens," he said. "How it works in college is everyday is a tryout."

Durkee said he asked former Tides teammate Austin Seferian-Jenkins, now a freshman tight end at UW, what he should be working on in preparation.

"He told me not to lift any weights," Durkee said. "I'll be doing enough of that when I get there."

CEDRIC DOZIER

WR/DB, Lakes (Lakewood)
5’1”1, 175
Committed to: California

For the longest time, Dozier remained steadfast in his commitment to the Cal football program. Since giving an oral commitment to the Bears in October, Dozier repeatedly turned down pleas to take official visits to other schools.

Not until Cal receivers coach Eric Kiesau was lured away to Washington did Dozier reexamine his options. This weekend, Dozier took the second of his allotted five official visits, spending time at Washington State University.

Lakes High football coach Dave Miller believes Cal is still the leader although Dozier is looking at other options to make a more informed decision. Miller also said he would not be surprised to see Dozier take another official visit next weekend, possibly to Washington.

Wherever Dozier ends up, it's not likely that he'll be swayed by emotions. He knows coaches will come and go from programs and has said that he learned long ago not to commit to a school because of a coach.

"I'm mature enough to understand," he said, "that college football is a business."

JEFF LINDQUIST

QB, Mercer Island
6’3”, 225
Committed to: Washington

In most any other year, Lindquist committing to Washington would be a headline-stealing coup.

Instead, much of the talk focuses on the big-name recruits leaving the state, while this dual-threat slips under the radar.

"I'm impressed by the combo of his running ability and staying in the pocket and throwing the ball," said Adam Gorney, West recruiting analyst for Rivals.com.

At the Semper Fi All-American Bowl earlier this month in Phoenix, Lindquist outshined the other quarterbacks. He threw two touchdown passes and was named the game's MVP.

During his senior season at Mercer Island, Lindquist completed 55.3 percent of his passes for 1,908 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 826 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and 12 TDs.

"He doesn't make bad decisions," Gorney said, "and he's comfortable making plays with his feet."

CALEB SMITH

TE, Kentridge (Kent).
6’7”, 240
Committed to: Oregon State

Much like former Beavers' tight end Joe Newton, part of the 2002 Northwest Nuggets class, Smith is a big, fluid, athletic presence in the passing game.

What is astounding is that Smith only picked up the position in the final month of his junior season. He started the year as a quarterback, but has quickly turned the heads of college recruiters at tight end.

"He is a lot more physical than I expected him to be, and he is a lot more athletic in his route-running than you would expect," one Pac-12 assistant said.

Of his 12 scholarship-offering suitors, he chose Oregon State. Others include UCLA, Arizona State, Washington, Washington State, Arkansas and Purdue.

ISAAC SEUMALO

OL, Corvallis, Ore.
6’3”, 280
Committed to: Oregon State

For those parents who resist the urge to pressure their children to get involved in a particular sport – do not read any further.

This is the Seumalo family. Dad, Joe, was a defensive lineman at Hawaii, played in the Canadian Football League and is now an Oregon State assistant. Brother, Andrew, is also with the Beavers as a defensive lineman.

And this younger Seumalo practiced blocking and pass-rushing moves since the time he could walk. He also studied film at an early age.

It paid off. Last summer, Seumalo was named the offensive lineman MVP of the Stanford camp. He also played in the Under Armour All-American game. He chose the Beavers (where he is projected to be a center) over Stanford, UCLA, Southern California, Washington and Oregon.

ALEX BALDUCCI

DE, Central Catholic (Portland)
6’4”, 265
Committed to: Oregon

One of Oregon's consistent pipelines of NCAA Division I talent did it again this season with Balducci, who is an extraordinary pass rusher.

"He is country strong, very fast and pretty explosive," Central Catholic coach Steve Pyne said. "And he does a good job of having a plan at getting to the quarterback."

Oregon has indicated the U.S. Army All-American Bowl participant could be a utility linemen – play inside on normal downs, then move outside on passing downs.

Balducci committed to the Ducks over Washington last summer. He had other offers from Arizona State, California, Boise State, Utah and Oregon State.

TANNER MANGUM

QB, Eagle, Idaho
6’3”, 195
Committed to: Brigham Young

Nobody saw this coming. Mangum was a good quarterback in Eagle High's shotgun spread offense. But his reputation certainly took a bump up in front of a national audience after claiming co-MVP honors at ESPN Rise's Elite 11 camp last summer.

"That stuff happens in other places," Eagle High coach Paul Peterson said.

What marveled coaches at the camp was his ability to process information and make timely throws. In back-to-back days, he won the accuracy throwing contests – a first in Elite 11 history.

An Under Armour All-American game participant, Mangum chose BYU over Boise State, Arkansas, Oregon State and Utah. He will delay enrollment until 2014 after serving a two-year LDS mission.

Doug Pacey and Todd Milles, staff writers