Two South Sound football standouts sign with UW Huskies
Two standout high school football players from South Sound programs will continue their careers in Seattle.
And both will be joining Washington’s revamped offense next season.
Tumwater’s Ryan Otton, considered a four-star tight end, Emerald Ridge’s Denzel Boston, a three-star wide receiver, have both signed their National Letters of Intent join the Huskies’ program in 2022.
The two local standouts were among five recruits that signed with UW during Wednesday’s early period. Liberty (Nev.) four-star wide receiver Germie Bernard, Saguaro (Ariz.) three-star offensive lineman Parker Bailsford and Desert Ridge (Ariz.) three-star outside linebacker Lance Holtzclaw will also head to the Pacific Northwest.
“It’s exciting,” Huskies coach Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday afternoon of the incoming class. “It’s growth. That’s what it’s all about — every day getting better, and today we got a lot better. There’s no question.”
In Otton and Boston specifically, the Huskies signed a pair of proven offensive performers who have been standout players in the South Sound throughout their careers.
Otton is considered the state’s third-ranked player in the 2022 class by 247Sports.com, as well as the No. 9 tight end nationally and among the top 250 players overall.
He was named the co-most valuable player of the Class 2A Evergreen Conference this fall — along with teammate Austin Terry, who is headed to Boise State — and played a significant role in Tumwater’s two trips to the Class 2A state championship game his sophomore and senior seasons, which included a title win in 2019.
Otton played both tight end and defensive end for the T-Birds during his career, and finished with 10 catches for 236 yards and four touchdowns this fall, as well as adding 45 tackles, including 13 for losses, seven sacks and a fumble recovery.
The youngest Otton to come through the T-Birds’ storied program, he was recognized along with three teammates who also signed with college programs Wednesday morning at Tumwater.
He celebrated and took photos with family members, coaches, teammates and friends — much like his older brother did when he signed with the Huskies back in 2017.
“It’s pretty surreal,” Ryan Otton said. “I remember back in seventh grade when I came for my brother’s signing. It’s just a surreal moment. I’m thankful for where I’m at. I’m really excited for the future and I’m thankful for all the opportunities that I’ve been given.”
Cade Otton, a standout tight end in the Huskies’ program the past five seasons, celebrated alongside his younger brother at Wednesday’s signing ceremony.
“I’m so excited for him,” Cade Otton said. “I know he’s going to do big things. Just watching him grow as a player — from that moment in seventh grade to now, I’ve seen so much maturity and improvement from him.
“I know with the great people up there, and his work ethic, he’s going to go on to do great things. I know he’s going to be a great player up there.”
Ryan Otton’s coaches also believe there is even more to come when he arrives in Seattle.
“I just think the sky’s the limit for him,” T-Birds coach Bill Beattie said. “I think his best football is still ahead of him.”
“I think everyone understands that Cade being here, just had an amazing career and amazing football player,” DeBoer said. “I think with Ryan, you’re going to see him make a name for himself. He has never said that. But, I think just in the way he goes about things, I think that’s a big deal. ... Just because of the ability he has and the type of person he is, the character he has, you’re going to see exactly that.”
Otton committed to UW in July, and also held offers from Oregon State, Stanford, Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, California, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oregon, UCLA, UNLV, Utah and West Virginia.
Boston is considered the No. 17 recruit in the state by 247Sports, and the No. 135 wide receiver in this class nationally, and has become one of the 4A South Puget Sound League’s top receivers the past four seasons at Emerald Ridge.
He finished his career with 105 catches for 1,572 yards and 23 touchdowns, including 36 catches for 548 yards and eight scores this fall on his way to 4A SPSL first-team honors, as the Jaguars reached the district round of the 4A playoffs.
“He’s ready to be in a new environment that’s going to push him at the college level,” Jaguars coach Adam Schakel said. “ … He’s ready, and I’m excited for him.”
Boston also celebrated signing with the Huskies alongside family — including his older brother, Andrew, who has been a standout wide receiver at Eastern Washington in five seasons with the program — Wednesday morning at Emerald Ridge.
His football future now set, Boston said it’s “a relief just to know that I’m going on to the next level and I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do my entire life.”
“It’s really indescribable how you feel,” he said.
Boston committed to the Huskies in August, and also held offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Eastern Washington, Nevada and Washington State.
“I think really, just getting to know him, he just really wanted to stay local,” DeBoer said. “And, when I saw the film, I wanted him to stay local, too. There was no question. He’s got a long frame. The catch radius is enormous. He’s been so consistent from year to year, and I’m fired up about him.”
This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Two South Sound football standouts sign with UW Huskies."
