Huskies Yield First Commit from Junior Day Event With Servite Linebacker Isaiah Leilua
A few days after holding a “Dawghouse Weekend” Junior Day event, the Washington Huskies have received their first known commitment from the 30-plus recruits who visited campus.
Three-star linebacker Isaiah Leilua, an inside linebacker from powerhouse Servite High School in Anaheim, California, chose Washington over reported offers from Oregon, Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Arizona, Arizona State and Penn State.
Leilua is the fourth Class of 2027 Washington commit who plays inside linebacker in high school. That position makes up half of UW’s current eight-member class.
In the way-too-early 247Sports composite rankings, Leilua’s verbal commitment moved the Huskies up to fourth. Washington is expected to sign a class of 20-25 recruits in December. UW head coach Jedd Fisch is coming off signing the school’s modern-day best 13th-ranked class for 2026. None of the 2027 commits are binding until they sign late in the year, and arrive in early 2027 (and things can change after they sign in modern-day college football.)
Leilua has a different build than linebackers head coach Jedd Fisch and linebackers coach Brian Odom have targeted in the past three classes. At 6 feet, 220 pounds, Leilua is shorter than the longer 6-3, 6-4 types who have signed with UW recently.
The lack of length doesn’t seem to be an issue for Leilua, who shows excellent quickness, aggressiveness and instincts in his high school highlights.
It seems clear that not all four of the linebackers are expected to play inside in a Ryan Walters scheme that features 1-2 on the inside.
Fellow Class of 2027 linebackers Titus Osterman (6-4) and twins Ethan and Justin Coach (6-3) could be candidates to convert to outside pass rushers. Class of 2026 linebacker Ramzak Fruean and Ezaya Tokio are both 6-4, and fit that mold as well.
Leilua appears to have a similar game to another Servite product. Jacob Manu, the likely starter at inside linebacker for the Huskies in 2026 after playing in four games last season following ACL surgery, is listed at 5-11. Both Servite linebackers show the instincts and side-to-side ability necessary in Walter’s scheme.
Washington is loaded enough at linebacker this season that its third-leading tackler, Deven Bryant, hit the transfer portal because Manu and then true freshman Zaydrius Rainey-Sale, as well as Xe’ree Alexander, seemed to lock up playing time. Alexander also has some pass-rush experience, and Rainey-Sale is another long athlete who has the body type to line up outside if needed. Taariq “Buddah” Al-Uqdah, a starter before a season-ending injury in the Apple Cup, is also expected to be in the mix for time on the inside.
Fisch will attempt to sign his third strong class for 2027. The 2025 class was ranked 23rd, and yielded several true freshmen starters, including offensive lineman John Mills, receiver Dezman Roebuck and cornerback Dylan Robinson, as well as safety Rylon Dillard-Allen, who played a significant role for the Huskies defense. A few members of the 2026 class appear destined for an opportunity to play right away as well.
