Northwest programs college coaches can’t miss (Part 2)

The football season is about to kick off in Oregon and Washington, which means it's time to look at the high school programs that every college coach needs to check out.   This list - a three-parter - is based on prospects from the 2026-2029 classes, but also does take into account a programs history.   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/northwest-programs-college-coaches-cant-miss-part-1/">Part 1</a> - Archbishop Murphy, Bethel, Willamette, Camas, Skyview, Evergreen, Union, Jesuit, Central Catholic   <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/northwest-programs-college-coaches-cant-miss-part-3/">Part 3</a> - Graham-Kapowsin, Puyallup, Lake Oswego, Lakeridge, Kennedy Catholic, Sumner, Rainier Beach   West Linn Lions (Oregon)   West Linn has been, and will continue to be, a state title contender every year.   The Lions have elite turnout from their youth programs on down, and it shows up in the high school program's depth.   It also helps that West Linn has perhaps the best coaching staff in the state of Oregon, led by four-time state champion head coach Jon Eagle, award-winning defensive coordinator Anthony Newman and former NFL first-round pick Alex Molden aiding the secondary.    That emphasis on coaching permeates the youth program as well - with technique and participation being emphasized over win-loss record across the board.    Of course, it helps that wins have followed.    The Lions have produced several big-time prospects in recent years including NFL defensive back Elijah Molden, NFL center Alex Forsyth, MLB player Tim Tawa, Arizona State star quarterback Sam Leavitt and several others.   The program's current headliner?   It's unquestionably Sporting News All-American cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='632957' first='Josiah' last='Molden'], who is arguably the top prospect in the entire Northwest.   But there's plenty of talent for everyone - from Division I athletes to NAIA impact players.   And don't forget to stop by the baseball field, either.    Bellevue Wolverines (Washington)   Bellevue was won 11 state titles since 2001, but only two since 2011 (2021, 2023).    Still, college coaches would be smart to stop by.   Budda Baker is one of the best players ever to come out of Washington and he called Bellevue home.   In the class of 2028, the Wolverines have an intriguing collection of talent, led by cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='1012408' first='Kaden' last='Johnson'], running back [player_tooltip player_id='1335521' first='RJ' last='Ward'] and defensive end/tackle/tight end athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1012776' first='Matthew' last='Curran'].   Eastside Catholic (Washington)   Eastside Catholic has churned out elite prospects for several years, and the list of NFL alumni seems to be growing each year.   J.T. Tuimoloau was the nation's top overall prospect before heading to Ohio State. He was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts after winning a national title last fall.    He was joined on the Buckeyes national title team by Gee Scott Jr..   There are, of course, several more notable alumni, but the current crop of talent is very special.   At the top of the list is two-sport star [player_tooltip player_id='1003593' first='Tytan' last='McNeal'].   The 6-foot-5, 210-pound five-star tight end/defensive end is also a bluechip basketball recruit and has a chance to be one of the best two-sport stars to come out of Washington in recent history.   McNeal already holds offers from 20 programs, highlighted by BYU, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, USC, Washington and others.    Fellow class of 2028 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1617792' first='Aedyn' last='Havili'] is another prospect college coaches will want to see.   The 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive lineman is quickly building momentum and already holds offers from Arizona State, Michigan, Washington and others.   Class of 2026 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='402799' first='Wassie' last='Lugolobi'] is already off the board and committed to Stanford, but he held double-digit offers.    Three-star athlete [player_tooltip player_id='402787' first='Asa' last='Thompson'] remains uncommitted, but shows promise on film.   Expect several other 2029 and 2030 prospects to emerge soon.   Eastside Catholic is an absolute must-see.    Glacier Peak Grizzlies (Washington)   Glacier Peak has produced its fair share of talented athletes in recent years, including Washington State tight endTrey Leckner.   The star of the show currently is class of 2027 tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1315611' first='Zach' last='Albright'], a four-star prospect and national recruit.   The 6-foot-5, 206-pound pass-catcher already holds seven offers, highlighted by Cal, Michigan, Washington, Wisconsin and others.   Tualatin Timberwolves (Oregon)    Tualatin, like the Lakeridge Pacers, seems to be just short of “state favorite” status every year, but they are so close to breaking through and winning a state championship.   Tualatin's most famous football alumni is running back Luke Staley, who won the Doak Walker Award at BYU in 2001.   Quarterback Nolan Keeney recently graduated and enrolled at BYU, while two-way star Jayden Fortier headed to Arizona State.    Offensive lineman Connor LeGrow and speedy athlete [player_tooltip player_id='937241' first='Cole' last='Hachmeister'] are worth keeping an eye on this fall.   Currently, this isn't the deepest Tualatin team in recent memory, but the program is projected to have a special young nucleus coming up that could be very special.    O'Dea Fighting Irish (Washington)   One of the most talented teams in the entire Northwest, O'Dea is a must-see program for any college coach.   Class of 2026 edge-rusher [player_tooltip player_id='402788' first='David' last='Schwerzel'] is one of the top players in the Northwest and is committed to UCLA, while F.A. Siale, a 2026 defensive end, is headed to Michigan State.   Those two along make up perhaps the best 1-2 punch in the trenches anywhere in the Northwest.   But there's lots more talent.   Fellow 2026 offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='726157' first='Kingston' last='Fotualii'] hasn't generated the buzz of the teammates listed above, but his talent will take him to Washington State, where he could become a multi-year starter.    Class of 2027 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1599603' first='Tevita' last='Nonu'] is a borderline top-100 prospect nationally and already holds offers from double-digit programs, highlighted by Arizona, Arizona State, Cal,    Notre Dame, Washington and others.    His older brother, [player_tooltip player_id='1354431' first='Jeremiah' last='Nonu'], is committed to Nevada.    Gonzaga Prep Bullpups (Washington)   Gonzaga Prep is an intriguing program this fall.   The Bullpups will be a state title contender and are loaded with good athletes who could emerge.   While there aren't several bluechip prospects on the roster, it's a talented, deep group who should have plenty of success of the field this season.   Lincoln Abes (Washington)   Lincoln is good program with some real talent, but this boils down to not being able to miss class of 2027 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1188085' first='Sione' last='Kaho'].    The 6-foot-3, 205-pound signal-caller is a bluechip prospect and potential All-American.   Kaho holds offers from Arizona State, BYU, Cal, Oregon, Stanford, Utah, Washington and others.

The football season is about to kick off in Oregon and Washington, which means it's time to look at the high school programs that every college coach needs to check out.