Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch is proving that home is where the heart—and the recruiting trail—leads. Since taking the helm in January 2024, Fisch has dramatically expanded the program's reach into his home state of New Jersey, and the latest prospect to catch UW's eye is a towering talent from the Garden State.
Four-star offensive tackle Eytan D'oleo, a 2028 recruit from Camden High School, received a scholarship offer from the Huskies on Friday. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, D'oleo—nicknamed "ET"—brings an otherworldly blend of size and skill that has already made him one of the top 30 offensive tackles in his class. His nickname might suggest something extraterrestrial, but his on-field abilities are very real and very impressive.
D'oleo isn't just a regional prospect. Over the past month, he's drawn interest from a who's who of college football powers, including Big Ten heavyweights Ohio State and Penn State, SEC contender Auburn, and ACC stalwart Duke. Washington's offer adds another major player to the mix, signaling that the Huskies are serious about competing for top-tier talent on a national stage.
The shift in recruiting philosophy under Fisch is striking. In the eight recruiting cycles before his arrival, Washington didn't offer a single player from New Jersey. Since Fisch took over, that number has jumped to 23 offers, according to 247Sports' database—and it's growing by the month. For the 2028 class specifically, D'oleo is just the second New Jersey recruit to receive a UW offer, making this early move by the coaching staff a significant one for his long-term recruitment over the next 18 months.
On the field, D'oleo has already shown he can handle big-game pressure. As a true sophomore at Camden, he started at right tackle and held his own against tough competition. He also took snaps at right guard, showcasing versatility that could accelerate his development at the college level. His ability to carry his 330-pound frame with agility is a key asset, and whichever program lands him will be getting a player who can make an impact early in his career.
While Fisch's New Jersey pipeline is still in its early stages—only one recruit, four-star quarterback Derek Zammit, has signed with UW so far—the increased attention is paying off in visibility and relationships. Several other Garden State prospects have visited Seattle before choosing elsewhere, but with D'oleo now in the mix, the Huskies are making it clear that the East Coast-to-Pacific Northwest connection is here to stay.
For fans of Washington football, this is a sign of a program that's thinking big—and thinking nationally. And for a sports apparel shop, it's a reminder that the Huskies are building something special, one recruit at a time.