Braylon Pope commits, highlights Washington’s in-state push

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This month, the Washington Huskies put a bow on the highest-rated class in program history, one that was littered with key in-state commitments.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hoping to get an early start on that recipe for the 2027 cycle, Washington picked up a big commitment Monday from Sumner wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1188109' first='Braylon' last='Pope'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-3, 195-pound playmaker is battling to be named the top player in the state of Washington, alongside Lincoln quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1188085' first='Sione' last='Kaho'], O'Dea defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1599603' first='Tevita' last='Nonu'] and Puyallup offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1188082' first='Gecova' last='Doyal'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So far, Pope is the first to come off the board - and his commitment felt like a foregone conclusion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It wasn't a surprise to anyone,' Pope said. “It felt right. It felt good.”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Why wasn't it a surprise?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I've been there 20, 30 times… it's been a lot,” he said. “I've been there twice for state championships, multiple 7-on-7 events, visits… a lot of times.”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope has helped lead Sumner to back-to-back Washington football titles, a fact that wasn't lost on him in the moment.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's already hoisting trophies and making big plays in his future home.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's great to experience that on the field I'll be playing on (in college) for the actual team,” Pope said. “It's great to get that feeling and visualize myself playing there the next few years.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope's early commitment is further evidence that Washington is improving its in-state recruiting effort.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the class of 2026, Washington signed five-star offensive tackle Kodi Greene (Eastside Catholic, Mater Dei), Kennedy Catholic four-star defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='402789' first='Derek' last='Colman-Brusa'], O'Dea defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='402788' first='David' last='Schwerzel'] and several others.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those recruits, known to one another through various football activities, have also bonded via trips to Washington's campus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The in-state brotherhood is something that Pope thinks can be felt by many in the region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“It's great they are focused on kids from Washington,” he said. “They want to try to keep everybody and they are doing a great job.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope, for his part, is also working on helping to build a fence around the home state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Monday, he turned a few congratulatory messages into opportunities to ask fellow recruits if Washington could also be in their respective futures.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I've talked to a bunch of dudes recently,” Pope said. “Them reaching out to congratulate me, and me asking them where they are going and what their feelings are - just telling them that we could build a great team here.”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Still, one major issue looks large over the future of the Washington football program, and that's the future of head coach Jedd Fisch, who is the current betting favorite to be offered the Michigan Wolverines job.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope has heard that buzz, but he doesn't see that immediately changing his pledge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“I love Fisch, and he's a great guy,” Pope said. “We've talked a good amount of times. I've hard all about it, but we haven't talked about it. I love the school. I'm not only committing to Washington for Fsch - it's the wide receiver coach and everyone here. His leaving isn't going to change everything.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even if Fisch were to leave and the the vast majority of assistants were to leave, Pope said he will likely remain committed and give the new staff a chance.<br>“Staying there and feeling out the coaches is probably how I'd approach it,” he said. “I'm not a senior, so I have a whole other year to watch a new staff if that were to happen.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Washington has made major progress in recent years when it comes to recruiting the home state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope's commitment is more evidence that the effort will, once again, pay off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This time with the class of 2027.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->