National Signing Day 2012: Why Washington Will Excel with Its Class of 2012

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The Washington Huskies were ranked No. 22 by Rivals for the top recruiting classes in the country, but it is amazing the way Steve Sarkisian has added several studs.

A few of these future Huskies may become All-Pac-12 performers, but only a select few have the star talent to become future All-Americans.

The players shown can put UW back on the national map and the near future may be extremely bright, thanks to these guys.

Keep it here all day on National Signing Day to get the latest and updated news and analysis.

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Shaq Thompson, Safety

After many had anticipated Shaq Thompson staying with Cal, he has since decommitted and gone to Washington.

Thompson is the top safety in America, per Rivals, and is the fourth-rated player overall.

ESPN has Thompson at No. 16 and as the third-rated safety overall. He should see immediate playing time despite the Huskies returning everybody back in its secondary.

Outside of Desmond Trufant, there may not be a better talent heading into the 2012 season for Washington than Thompson. In time, if he gets a bit stronger he may simply become a future All-American. He has the closing speed, body control and size to perhaps become elite, according to Scout.

Cyler Miles, Quarterback

Compared to Josh Freeman thanks to his size and big arm, Cyler Miles is the second-rated dual-threat quarterback, according to Rivals.

With a 38-inch vertical, the athleticism for Miles is something Washington is ecstatic about. Likely taking over for Keith Price in a few seasons, the Huskies have a bright future thanks to the array of talent they are building around him.

Whether or not Miles becomes the starter in the near future may depend on the development of another future star for the Huskies. Quarterback Jeff Lindquist competed in the Elite 11 QB Camps and is another four-star signal-caller who has a ton of promise.

Coaching Staff

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It helps to have coaches such as Justin Wilcox, Peter Sirmon and Tosh Lupoi added to Washington's coaching staff since they may be the obvious reasoning for the Huskies' recruiting success.

Wilcox, of course, was a former DC at Tennessee and Boise State, but he also is a ringer in terms of landing the top-notch recruits.

Steve Sarkisian has been known for developing quarterbacks while he was at Southern California, but he is a coach who is on the rise right now. Washington has the faith in him, and so do many talented players across the nation.

Keep it here all day on National Signing Day to get the latest and updated news and analysis.

Follow Dan Vasta on Twitter.