Mark your calendars, Washington Huskies fans—June 27 is shaping up to be a pivotal day for the program's future.
Four-star safety Isala Aisa Wily-Ava, one of the top defensive back targets on Jedd Fisch's radar, will announce his college commitment that Saturday. He'll be joined by fellow four-star recruit DaJohn Yarborough, an offensive lineman also set to reveal his decision on the same day, making it a double-dose of excitement for Husky faithful.
Standing at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Wily-Ava is a standout from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California—a powerhouse program known for producing elite talent. Ranked as the No. 410 overall prospect and No. 38 safety in the 2027 class by the 247Sports Composite, he's narrowed his list of 29 offers down to three finalists: Arizona State, Michigan, and Washington. While the Sun Devils have been making a strong push, the Huskies have long been considered the frontrunners to land his commitment.
Wily-Ava has already made multiple unofficial visits to Washington, including a trip for Junior Day in early March. The Huskies currently hold multiple crystal ball predictions in their favor, which would be a major win for safeties coach Taylor Mays and defensive coordinator Ryan Walters. With only one secondary commit so far—three-star cornerback Maurice Williams—adding a player of Wily-Ava's caliber would instantly elevate the class.
So what makes Wily-Ava such a coveted prospect? Former 247Sports analyst Greg Biggins praised his rare blend of skills: "He has a rare combination of range, ball skills, instincts, and hitting ability. He's a big-framed 6-2.5, 195 pounds, and could easily grow into a linebacker by the time he hits college. He's a physical player, a very good open field tackler, and gets downhill and flies off the hash to make a play."
The Huskies will get the first crack at impressing him on an official visit scheduled for June 5. From there, Wily-Ava will head to Arizona State on June 12 and wrap up his tour at Michigan on June 19. With all three visits lined up before his decision date, this is shaping up to be a recruiting battle that could go down to the wire.
"It's going to be the hardest decision I've ever made because I really like all three schools right now," Wily-Ava said. For Washington fans, the hope is that his familiarity with the program and the strong relationships built with the coaching staff will tip the scales in their favor.