Crichton newest Husky

New Washington Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has not wasted any time in securing verbal commitments for his new school, even while coaching for his old one. On Thursday, Sarkisian visited Talia Crichton, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end from Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Calif., and by the end of the night Crichton was verbally committed to the Huskies.

"I just like Coach Sarkisian and his attitude and how he's going to turn things around in the program," Crichton told Scout.com Friday about his verbal commitment. He committed over offers from Arizona, Utah and Idaho. "He was fired up, and I was the same. I was excited."

Crichton took an official visit to Idaho this past weekend, and while making his connection to Pullman via Seattle he made a mental note of his surroundings. "I flew over (Seattle) in a plane and I liked the weather," he said. He's got a return date to Seattle January 16th, the day of his official visit to Washington.

The main reasons why the new staff at UW likes Crichton? "My get off, my speed, and the use of my hands," he said. "Physical, just physical." Crichton was an Honorable Mention All-League pick, as well as named Co-Defensive Player of the Year in his league, as well as All-CIF.

"I have a strong commitment to Washington, but I want to keep my options open a little a bit," he said. "But it's a firm commitment right now." Crichton added that when he does take his official visit to UW, that should be all it takes to make his decision a final one.

"When I go there it'll be sewn up," he said.

Talia Crichton Scout.com Profile