For the second time in as many days, Washington has signed one of the West Coast’s premier tight ends.
Four-star tight end Vander Ploog committed to the Huskies on Tuesday, announcing his decision via social media. The Troy High School star from Fullerton, California, is the 15th prospect in Washington’s 2025 recruiting class and the eighth Husky pledge in the last three days.
Ploog, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 223 pounds, is the second tight end to commit to the University of Washington and position coach Jordan Paopao. On June 24, the Huskies earned a pledge from West Linn, Oregon, native Baron Naone, the state’s best football prospect. Ploog is a consensus four-star prospect, ranked as the No. 21 player in California and the No. 11 tight end nationally.
Ploog had also received offers from Arizona State, California, Michigan State, Minnesota, Oregon State, SMU, UCLA, Utah, and Washington State, among others. He had five official visits to the Sun Devils, Golden Bears, Mustangs, and Utes before deciding on the Huskies, whom he initially visited on May 3.
Blessed to announce my commitment to the University of Washington!! Fired up and ready to get to work!! Go Dawgs!! ☔️☔️☔️#AGTG @GregBiggins @adamgorney @BlairAngulo @BrandonHuffman @CoachPaopao @ThsWarriorfball @CoachJeddFisch pic.twitter.com/fTNeaWytfX
— Vander Ploog (@vander_ploog) June 25, 2024
Despite his status as a top football prospect, Ploog has a basketball background. His grandfather, T.J. Hardeman, coaches women’s basketball at Azusa Pacific. His father, Dan Ploog, is an assistant to Hardeman and a former Biola University basketball player. Heidi Ploog, Ploog’s mother, also played basketball at Biola.
“Only played football for two years, but shows natural talent,” 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins noted in an evaluation on February 7. “Still raw in some areas and needs to add upper body mass and strength to help become more physical in the run game but has frame to do so.”
Ploog appeared in seven games as a sophomore, recording seven receptions for 92 yards and five touchdowns. He had a breakout junior season, catching 61 passes for 1,047 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games, including a career-long 85-yard reception.
“Can make plays down the field,” Biggins wrote. “Won 50-50 balls and contested catches and already looks more fluid and explosive getting in and out of his breaks this off-season on the 7v7 circuit.”
“Intriguing kid for sure and has some high level upside as a prospect.”
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