The Washington Huskies are making an early statement in the 2028 recruiting cycle, extending a scholarship offer to promising Tennessee safety Brooks Johnston after an impressive unofficial visit to Seattle over the weekend.

Standing at 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, Johnston watched Saturday's scrimmage from the sidelines before receiving the good news from safeties coach Taylor Mays. The Knoxville Catholic High School product is already generating buzz as the nation's No. 387 overall recruit and No. 24 safety according to the Rivals Industry rankings.

With Washington now in the mix, Johnston's offer list has grown to 13 programs, including SEC heavyweights like Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss, Tennessee, and Texas A&M, as well as Indiana. For a rising star still early in his high school career, that's an impressive collection of suitors.

What makes Johnston such an intriguing prospect? His film shows a safety who plays with the kind of physicality that defensive coordinator Ryan Walters demands from his secondary. He's a violent tackler who reads run lanes well—a skill that proved crucial for Alex McLaughlin's productivity in Walters' system during the 2025 season.

But Johnston isn't just a run-stopper. His fluid athleticism shines in coverage, where he shows excellent range as a single-high safety and the ability to flip his hips without losing speed. His ball skills are equally impressive, consistently breaking up passes or creating turnovers against opposing receivers.

The Huskies are still searching for their first safety commit in the 2027 class, but Mays isn't waiting around. Getting an early jump on underclassmen like Johnston could pay big dividends, especially as he rises up Washington's board alongside local target Markel Newell and four-star prospect Brandon Nash.

For a program looking to build depth in the secondary, Johnston's combination of size, physicality, and coverage instincts makes him a name worth watching closely in the coming years.