​As Washington Huskies running backs coach Scottie Graham shifts his focus to the 2028 class, he already has his eye on a notable prospect with deep NFL pedigree. Noel Washington, the son of former All-Pro running back Leon Washington, could quickly become one of the top targets for Jedd Fisch’s coaching staff. Leon Washington enjoyed a nine-year NFL career across four teams and earned First Team All-Pro honors as a kick returner in 2008 with the New York Jets, followed by Second Team recognition in 2010 with the Seattle Seahawks. The younger Washington, listed at six feet tall and 185 pounds, is currently ranked as the No. 195 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 13 running back according to 247Sports.
The Huskies extended an offer to Noel Washington in mid-May, joining a crowded field that includes Arizona, California, Kansas, Nebraska, UCLA and seven other programs in pursuit of his services. Washington has spent his first two years at Notre Dame High School in Southern California, where he has demonstrated the characteristics that could make him a featured piece in a college offense. In his sophomore season, he rushed for 782 yards and 11 touchdowns while also contributing 9 receptions for 74 yards and a score. On film, Washington displays elite top-end speed in the open field and the extra gear necessary to pull away from pursuers, along with a sharp jump cut that creates running lanes for himself. He also carries a natural feel for the position, a benefit born from a family deeply immersed in football.
The lineage adds another layer to Noel Washington’s profile. His father, Leon Washington, logged 3,557 scrimmage yards and 20 touchdowns in his NFL career. Beyond that, Noel’s stepfather is DeShaun Foster, a former UCLA standout who also played the running back position for the Bruins. This football-rich background gives Washington a strong football IQ and a unique insider perspective on what it takes to succeed at the highest levels.
Over the past two years, Graham has established himself as a formidable recruiter for the Huskies, bringing in two four-star prospects in the last two cycles. Brian Bonner joined the program in 2026, followed by Jeremy Adeyanju in 2027, both of whom signaled Graham’s ability to attract top-tier talent. As Fisch continues to leverage his NFL connections to bolster the program, this strategy should be reinforced by the Washington family ties that already exist within the Huskies’ fold. The UW head coach himself has a direct connection to Seattle’s NFL scene, having served as the quarterbacks coach for the Seahawks in 2010, a detail that could further bolster the Huskies’ appeal to Noel Washington and his family.
This evolving recruitment comes at a time when Washington is actively exploring how the 2028 class could complement the program’s broader offensive strategy under Fisch. The Huskies’ approach combines a strong on-field pedigree with a compelling narrative, highlighting not only Noel Washington’s on-field potential but also the stability and familiarity that his family connections could bring to Seattle. If Washington maintains his development trajectory and continues to perform at a high level in high school, his blend of speed, vision, and natural running instincts could make him a coveted piece for a future UW offense.
As Washington continues to build toward 2028, coaches and analysts will be watching not only his raw athletic talent but also how he translates that talent to a college game plan that emphasizes versatility in the backfield, explosive plays in space, and the kind of incremental gains that come from a well-rounded, football-smart environment. With a strong recruiting track record under Graham and a compelling family legacy that aligns with Fisch’s NFL-experience-driven philosophy, Noel Washington represents a high-upside target for the Huskies as they map out the next wave of playmakers for the program.