Peninsula’s Skladany, last year’s 3A SSC MVP, commits to Eastern Washington
Sean Skladany was everywhere last season for the Peninsula Seahawks. Winning the Class 3A South Sound Conference MVP as a junior, Skladany was a force to be reckoned with at running back and on the defensive line, getting after the quarterback.
Now he’s verbally committed to play for Eastern Washington University, joining teammate and offensive lineman Spencer Kanouse and Bethel quarterback Kekoa Visperas in the 2021 class.
“They’re built on winning,” Skladany said. “They know how to win.”
Skladany rushed 137 times for 829 yard and 17 touchdowns in his junior campaign for Peninsula. On defense, he had 41 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He’s the type of hard-nosed, blue-collar football player that has become synonymous with Ross Filkins’ program.
“Sean’s old school,” Filkins said. “He plays the game the right way. He’s very physical.”
In their evaluations of high school players, college coaches often look to see what type of motor the player has — what type of energy they bring on every play and whether or not they take plays off. To Filkins, there’s no question Skladany is a ‘high motor’ athlete.
“With Sean, you don’t have to watch very many plays to see his motor and his passion just jump off the screen,” Filkins said.
Skladany was recruited by a couple schools to play on offense, but Eastern sees him playing defense at the next level, likely in a hybrid linebacker type role that would rush the quarterback and play near the line of scrimmage, but also drop into coverage when necessary.
“They just liked how I’m a Swiss army knife,” Skladany said. “I can play anywhere, play fast and physical.”
For Peninsula, Skladany rarely comes off the field. He’s a weapon on both sides of the ball, and even special teams, for the Seahawks. But Filkins said he’d agree that Skladany’s future is on the defensive side of the ball.
“He’s just such a disruptive defensive lineman,” Filkins said. “He was a wrecking crew up front. … Eastern, they do such a great job of evaluating. I think his future is on the defensive side of the ball.”
In many ways, Eastern’s programs mirrors Peninsula’s. There’s a rich, winning tradition of winning and developing players over their careers.
“The culture there reminds me of Peninsula,” Skladany said. “The staff reminds me of them. They’re just so friendly. … I wanted to go somewhere where I’m not only winning games, but also in a stable culture.”
Skladany said he’s been working on improving his speed during the offseason in an effort to round out his game.
“I’m starting to get there now,” he said.
Filkins said he has no doubt Skladany will be an asset for the Eagles in college.
“That’s the guy you want in your foxhole,” Filkins said. “He plays the game so hard. He leaves it all on the field.”
This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 11:45 AM.
