2026 4-star RB Ansu Sanoe commits to Washington Huskies

Portland (Ore.) Lakeridge four-star running back Ansu Sanoe is staying in the Pacific Northwest, though he’ll be moving north to play college football.

On Thursday, Sanoe announced his commitment to Washington over Oregon State, Arizona and a number of others around the West Coast.

“I have been in contact with the new staff at Washington since they were at Arizona,” Sanoe said. “They offered me early at Arizona, so some of these relationships have been there for a while.”

Jedd Fisch and Arizona offered Sanoe as a sophomore, and the blue-chipper felt good about the Wildcats. He had also made a previous trip to Washington, and once he saw Fisch and Co. make the move from Tucson to Seattle, he felt comfortable about the Huskies.

“I visited Arizona when the new staff at Washington was there and I was at Washington a couple of years ago,” Sanoe said. “I always felt good about the coaching staff, then when I was around them again at Washington and hearing their vision for the program, it made me feel comfortable.”

The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is the No. 158 overall prospect in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 13 running back and the No. 1 recruit in the state of Oregon.

Relationships, location helped Washington land Sanoe

Sanoe has built plenty of relationships with the new Washington staff, even if they didn’t begin in Seattle. That includes running backs coach Scottie Graham and recruiting director Armondo Hawkins, both of whom have remained in pursuit of the RB since making the move from Arizona.

“Coach Armondo Hawkins offered me at Colorado, then when he got to Arizona, then when he got to Washington, so we have a great relationship. He has always recruited and that has always stuck out to me,” Sanoe said. “Then Coach Scottie Graham is a solid guy, we have talked about life and I feel he can develop me as a young man and in football.”

Washington also stood out to Sanoe due to its location to home. While it isn’t in-state, he’ll still be close enough to family as he looks to blossom as a tailback at the next level.

“Location was a factor too. It is about a three hour drive for my family, so them being able to stay close to home and have people come to see me and support me means a lot to me,” Sanoe said.

Sanoe sees opportunity in Seattle

Through a whirlwind coaching carousel, Fisch and his staff landed in Seattle and are looking to continue an impress era of football for Washington. Sanoe has resonated with the coaches for some time and sees the positive direction the Huskies look to be trending on.

The burner began to feel like the time was right — and didn’t see any reason in postponing his commitment any longer.

“Washington stands out because of the location, atmosphere, I love the city is beautiful and it is close to family. I love where the coaching staff wants to go here and I want to be a part of that. I have the confidence that I can go anywhere and ball out, but I feel the staff at Washington can help me grow outside of football too.”

“Coach Fisch has proven he can win,” he added. “I like his track record and he can do great things at Washington. My dream is the NFL and I don’t feel there is a better staff to help me get there than the one at Washington.”