The Washington Huskies scored a major victory on the recruiting trail late Friday night, securing a commitment from four-star safety Isala Aisa Wily-Ava—their top target in the secondary for the 2027 class. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound standout from St. John Bosco High School in Southern California chose the Huskies over Arizona State, Michigan, and 26 other programs, thanks to a relentless push from position coach Taylor Mays.

Since returning to Seattle, Mays has made Wily-Ava his top priority, and the effort paid off. The Huskies hosted him for multiple unofficial visits over the past year, including a marquee matchup against then-No. 1 Ohio State in September and Junior Day in March. Washington had long been considered the favorite to land his services, and they sealed the deal just before his official visit on June 5—even though he had initially planned to announce his decision on June 27.

What makes Wily-Ava such a prized addition is his rare blend of size, athleticism, and versatility. He’s an ideal fit for the "down safety" role in defensive coordinator Ryan Walters' scheme—a position that earned Alex McLaughlin an All-Big Ten honorable mention in 2025. Former 247Sports analyst Greg Biggins praised his game, noting, "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."

Wily-Ava’s commitment adds to a strong 2027 class for head coach Jedd Fisch, which now features 14 pledges and ranks No. 13 nationally according to 247Sports. For Huskies fans, this is another sign that the program is building something special—one top target at a time.