Recruiting expert logs prediction for Washington to land 4-star RB Jason Brown

For some time, Seattle O’Dea four-star running back Jason Brown has been one of the top uncommitted running backs in the 2024 cycle.

Back in August, the 5-foot-9, 200-pounder named a top three of Michigan State, Oregon and Washington. At the time, the Spartans were trending for his commitment. That was before the firing of head coach Mel Tucker, however.

Since then, it’s been Oregon out in front for Brown, as the Ducks are in line to easily finish with the best recruiting class of the three programs. As National Signing Day edges closer, though, Brown remains on the board, and now, Washington could be in line to keep the tailback in-state.

On Tuesday, Oregon recruiting insider Justin Hopkins logged a pick on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM) for Brown to commit to Washington.

Oregon recruiting insider @JHopkinsSD has logged an expert prediction for Washington to land 4-star RB Jason Brown🐺

Brown is the top uncommitted running back this cycle‼️

Intel: https://t.co/rFQ0XuXp1o pic.twitter.com/PzvTFyzSup

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) November 28, 2023

According to the On3 RPM, Oregon still has the lead for Brown, but the Huskies are now surging at 34.9%. On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons also likes where Kalen DeBoer’s team stands with the calendar nearing December:

“Washington has been a constant in the race for Jason Brown. It is close to home for the four-star running back out of Seattle O’Dea, he has visited many times and the Huskies could be ready to close late on this one,” Simmons wrote last week. “Rewinding to the summer, Michigan State was trending. There was a coaching change. The Spartans quickly faded. After visiting Oregon in July, Brown returned again early in the season. The Ducks gained momentum there and it now looks like a battle between the Ducks and Huskies.”

Brown is the No. 180 overall prospect and No. 15 RB in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 3 player in Washington.

Washington looking for centerpiece pledge for 2024 class

If Brown were to commit to Washington, he would become the top-ranked pledge in the Huskies’ 2024 class — which currently ranks No. 32 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

Currently, DeBoer’s pledge list consists of 15 commits, five of whom are four-stars. Leading the way is Los Angeles Birmingham four-star athlete Peyton Waters, the No. 246 recruit and No. 10 ATH in the cycle.

Other top commits include: Westlake Village (Calif.) Oaks Christian four-star wide receiver Justice Williams, Hesperia (Calif.) Oak Hills four-star interior offensive lineman Paki Finau and Painesville (Ohio) Riverside four-star defensive lineman Dominic Kirks.

Jason Brown Scouting Summary

“Listed at around 5-foot-10, 200 pounds. Would not be surprising if he was closer to 5-foot-9. Has a stout, compact build. Productive rusher who has dominated the competition in Washington over the course of his high school career. Plays in a run-heavy, under center offense. Downhill, decisive runner with good decisiveness. Reads his blocks and darts through the hole with confidence. Runs with a strong base and contact balance. Works to pick up yards after contact. Looks to be a natural pass catcher out of the backfield. Rushed for over 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior. Also sees some snaps on defense. Throws the shot put in track and field. Does not have any athletic markers aside from the shot put. Can improve burst and long speed.”

Brown has an On3 NIL Valuation of $78K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.