Back to the Washington Huskies Newsfeed

How Chris Petersen’s culture helped UW Huskies maintain the Pac-12’s premier recruiting class

When Chris Petersen announced his resignation on Dec. 2, Washington’s 2020 class could’ve promptly imploded. With barely two weeks until early signing day, a celebrated head coach was giving way to a first-time successor. The program’s offensive system and staff was — and is — in flux. Twenty-one verbal commits were abruptly asked to embrace a new era.

Fifteen days later, the concept of a collapse seems almost silly. All 21 targets reaffirmed their UW commitments, and four-star corner Jacobe Covington actually re-committed to the program after previously rescinding his pledge. Despite the coaching change, a disappointing season and some general December chaos, UW’s 2020 class is ranked ninth nationally and first in the Pac-12 by 247Sports.