Washington Huskies 2011 Recruiting: Early Verbal Commits, Part 4

Since the third edition of our quick look at the verbal commits for the 2011 class, the Huskies have added four more names to the list.

Matthew Lyons — 6’2”, 185lbs.

Lyons is linebacker prospect from Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, Calif. At 185 lbs. he has a body that has yet to fill out, and is considered a prospect at linebacker as well as in a strong safety role.

In high school he has been a productive linebacker, providing 135 tackles, three sacks, and six fumble recovers during the 2009 season.

Lyons has good overall speed, and has the range to play sideline to sideline. He would benefit from filling out and adding more strength for point to point contact, but he is a solid defensive player who shows good instincts, will see time for the Huskies, although he might benefit from a redshirt season. With the amount of linebackers Sarkisian has recruited lately, that seems to be a viable option here.

Conor Cree — 6’5”, 225lbs

Cree is a defensive end prospect from Skyline High School in Sammamish, Wash.  Like a lot of high school kids, he has yet to fill out his frame, and right now is lean for his position. His body type, once filled out, is perfect for the position.

He has good speed and displays a good work ethic on the field. A good athlete, he also played tight end during the 2009 season.  Cree has a lot of ability and potential, but needs to work on technique and getting stronger overall to play on the defensive line at the next level.

Jamaal Jones — 6’2”, 174lbs.

Jones is a good athlete who plays both football and basketball at Graham-Kapowsin High School in Graham, Wash.  As a receiver Jones has good size and speed, running a 4.43 40-yard dash.

Although he could stand to fill out a little more, and is raw as a route runner, Jones knows how to catch the ball and make adjustments to snag inaccurate passes. For the 2009 season he was an all-league selection, picking up 499 yards on 33 receptions, with nine touchdowns.

Josh Perkins — 6’4”, 185lbs

Perkins is a big-bodied wide receiving recruit from Gahr High School in Cerritos, Calif. At 6’4” Perkins has a height and strength advantage over a lot of smaller defensive backs. That combination makes him a perfect target in the red zone

He had a productive season in 2009 putting up 486 yards on 36 receptions with nine touchdowns. He may lack overall speed for the position, with only 4.7 40-yard dash speed, Perkins will find a niche as a big red-zone target who is capable of being productive in this role for the Huskies.