Just two days after offensive coordinator Brennan Carroll’s departure, one of Washington’s top 2026 commits has decided to reopen his recruitment. Four-star offensive lineman, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound prospect from Draper, Utah, has announced decommitment from UW on social media. He originally committed to the Huskies on November 25.
According to 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins, Esun Tafa possesses impressive length with an almost 80-inch wingspan, powerful hands, and a physical playing style. He also moves well laterally and demonstrates advanced technique, making him a highly regarded national recruit.
Tafa’s decision to decommit comes shortly after Carroll—who also coached UW’s offensive line—left to join the Las Vegas Raiders alongside his father, Pete Carroll. In response, Washington head coach Jedd Fisch promoted Michael Switzer to offensive line coach and appointed Jimmie Dougherty as the new offensive coordinator.
Ranked as Utah’s No. 5 overall prospect and the No. 15 interior offensive lineman nationally, Tafa was UW’s second-highest-rated commit in the 2026 cycle. His decision leaves the Huskies with five remaining commits, including four-star running back Ansu Sanoe, now the only blue-chip recruit in the class. Washington’s other 2026 pledges include three-star linebacker Wassie Lugolobi (Eastside Catholic High), three-star athlete Terrance Saryon (Evergreen High), unranked offensive lineman Ah Deong Yang (Roosevelt High), and kicker CJ Wallace (St. John Bosco High).
Despite it being early in the 2026 cycle, Washington cannot afford to lose talent on the offensive line, an area of concern during the 2024 season. The Huskies signed six offensive linemen in their 2025 class: Champ Taulealea, Jack Shaffer, John Mills, Jake Flores, Lowen Colman-Brusa, and Peter Langi. They also added Kansas State transfer Carver Willis and former Husky Geirean Hatchett via the transfer portal.
However, attrition has already begun. Langi, a 6-foot-5, 330-pound three-star interior lineman, announced Wednesday that he will instead play for Arizona. Reports in early January indicated he was no longer expected to start his career at Washington. Langi, a San Bruno, California native from Archbishop Riordan High School, was teammates with four-star receiver Chris Lawson, who remains committed to UW and has already enrolled.
At Arizona, Langi could reunite with his younger brother, Michael Langi, a 2026 three-star offensive line commit.
Despite these losses, Washington’s 2025 offensive line group remains strong. Taulealea, a four-star recruit, was the highest-rated lineman in the class, while Shaffer and Mills, both listed at 6-foot-6 and over 320 pounds, project as tackles. Flores and Colman-Brusa, weighing 295 and 300 pounds, respectively, add depth. Taulealea, Flores, Mills, and Shaffer have all enrolled for winter quarter.
Leave a Reply