Jason Kaufusi has been far more active on the recruiting trail during the 2027 cycle than he was a year ago.
During the 2026 cycle, Washington’s defensive line coach didn’t secure his first commitment until July 4, when Tacoma native Ta’a Malu pledged to UW. This time around, things moved much faster.
Kaufusi picked up an early commitment in mid-May from Seattle-area standout Tevita Nonu, a four-star defensive lineman from O’Dea High School. Nonu was already the third pledge of the class for Kaufusi, joining fellow four-star defensive tackle Jon Ioane and Matamatagi Uiagalelei, the brother of former Husky Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei.
While Washington had stacked up interior defensive linemen, the staff had yet to land an edge rusher in the 2027 class—until now.
Chaz Gray, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge defender from Montvale, New Jersey, announced his commitment to UW on Tuesday afternoon. Gray becomes the Huskies’ 18th pledge of the 2027 cycle and continues a recent trend of Washington recruiting talent from New Jersey, the home state of head coach Jedd Fisch, in back-to-back cycles.
Gray is rated as a three-star prospect in the composite rankings, checking in as the No. 9 player in New Jersey, the No. 37 edge rusher nationally, and No. 438 overall. Despite the three-star label, he is currently Washington’s highest-rated prospect at that level, narrowly edging wide receiver Zerek Sidney. Both players are viewed as strong candidates to earn an additional star with productive senior seasons.
Although Gray never released a formal list of finalists, sources indicated his decision came down to Washington, Clemson, and Tennessee. He held offers from 23 Power Four programs, including Georgia, Ohio State, Texas A&M, Penn State, and Notre Dame.
Gray fills an important future need at edge rusher for UW. Assuming no extra eligibility extensions, Washington is set to lose Jacob Lane along with Isaiah Ward and Russell Davis II after the 2026 season. Compounding that depth concern, the Huskies’ lone edge rusher from the 2026 class, Derek Colman-Brusa, worked exclusively at defensive tackle during spring practices.
Washington hosted Gray on an official visit May 29 alongside two other uncommitted prospects: four-star wide receiver Dontay Tyson Jr. and four-star cornerback Kamil Loud. Tyson committed to UW shortly after the visit, while Loud has included Washington in his final group of schools.
On the field, Gray had a strong junior season at St. Joseph Regional High School, helping the Green Knights to a 10-2 record and a Non-Public Group A state championship in New Jersey, capped by a win over previously unbeaten Don Bosco Prep.
Washington’s success with Gray also highlights growing recruiting traction in New Jersey. In the 2026 cycle, the Huskies signed quarterback Derek Zammit, a three-time state champion at DePaul Catholic High. Historically, UW had only two letter winners from New Jersey before that—quarterback Sam Mitchell and safety Eric Briscoe.
New Jersey has become one of the East Coast’s most consistent producers of high-level football talent, with 27 players from the 2027 class already committed to Power Four programs or Notre Dame.
The pipeline may not stop with Chaz Gray. His younger brother, Tahj Gray, is a five-star linebacker in the 2028 class and the top prospect at his position nationally. Tahj accompanied Chaz on his official visit to Seattle, and Washington’s staff has already made in-home visits with the family.
Under Fisch and senior director of player personnel Matt Doherty, Washington has proven effective at recruiting siblings. Derek Colman-Brusa followed his brother Lowen to UW, and five-star offensive lineman Kodi Greene committed in 2026 to join his older brother Kayden. In both cases, the opportunity to play alongside family was a major factor—something that could again work in Washington’s favor down the road.