National Signing Day 2012: How the Washington Huskies Are Getting a Top Class

Seemingly overnight, the Washington Huskies have put together one of the top recruiting classes in the Pac-12. According to Scout.com, Washington leapfrogged 27 schools, including six from the Pac-12, with just four prospect commitments. 

One of those commitments happened to be one of the top high school players in the country. Rivals.com No. 4 athlete and No. 1 defensive back Shaq Thompson committed to the Huskies late Tuesday evening. 

Thompson had been a California commit for a while, but decided that Washington was a better fit for him. 

But, why? How did Steve Sarkisian and company land one of the top recruits of 2012 and potentially one of the biggest in school history? 

Look no further than the recent additions of Justin Wilcox, Peter Sirmon and Tosh Lupoi to Washington's coaching staff as the reason for the late success. 

Wilcox and Sirmon were both ace recruiters on Derek Dooley's Tennessee staff before heading west in early January. The additions of both served as a direct response to Washington's terrible defensive showing against Baylor in the Alamo Bowl. 

Then, just two weeks prior to signing day, Sarkisian pulled off another coup by adding California defensive line coach Lupoi to the staff. The Rivals.com 2011 Recruiter of the Year was helping to build a top recruiting class at California—one that included Thompson—before he left for Washington. 

Reportedly, three big-time (two 5-stars and one 4-star) recruits have decommitted from Cal since Lupoi left for Washington. Two of those players, Thompson and wide receiver Jordan Payton, will sign with the Huskies. 

The additions of three incredible recruiters in early January has proven to be exactly what Washington needed to make a last-minute splash on national signing day.