​The Washington Huskies watched one of their most highly pursued targets on the 2027 offensive line choose another destination on Saturday afternoon, as four-star lineman DaJohn Yarborough announced his commitment to the California Golden Bears. The 6-foot-5, 340-pound former Basha High School standout in Arizona is listed as the No. 426 overall prospect and the No. 25 interior offensive lineman in the 247Sports Composite. He chose coach Tosh Lupoi and Cal over a final quartet that also included Florida State, Mississippi State, and Washington.
Despite his junior season being shortened by a fractured ankle, Washington offensive coordinator Boom Fisch and offensive line coach Michael Switzer maintained a strong relationship with Yarborough, a player who brings the size, physicality, and skill set that the Huskies know they need up front for sustained success. Evaluations of his film highlighted his potential in both run blocking and pass protection. Huskies Wire’s Alex Katson noted that Yarborough “slides smoothly in pass protection and balances his weight well, always finding himself on the winning end of collisions with defenders.” Katson added that with his prototypical size and technique, Yarborough could develop into an NFL-level lineman with the right coaching during his college career.
Washington is rebuilding its offensive line to meet the demands of the Big Ten, and Yarborough would have represented a key building block alongside a trio of 2023-era contributors. The Huskies would have been counting on Freshman All-American John Mills, former five-star Kodi Greene, and former four-star Champ Taulealea to anchor the unit in 2027, with Switzer overseeing the development of the line as it mature in the conference’s physical style of play. Yarborough’s addition would have complemented that core, potentially accelerating the unit’s growth and cohesion as Washington prepared to compete at a higher level.
Even though Washington consistently appeared among the top programs pursuing Yarborough, Lupoi’s staff has demonstrated an ability to make a swift, meaningful impact with recruits across the West. His commitment to Cal leaves Washington with a thinner immediate pipeline at the position for 2027, though the Huskies still possess promising talent and depth at other spots that could help them weather the loss and continue to develop their offensive line under Switzer’s guidance.
With Yarborough off the board, Washington’s 2027 class currently features three offensive linemen: four-star interior prospect Gecova Doyal, four-star center Reis Russell, and three-star offensive tackle Tye Kennedy. Each player represents a piece of the future for the Huskies as they continue to recruit and develop linemen who can adapt to the rigors of Big Ten football and the program’s long-term strategy. The Huskies remain focused on bringing in high-potential athletes who can grow into leaders along the line, even as plans shift in response to Yarborough’s decision and the evolving recruiting landscape around the conference and the country.