Four-star DT Shelton picks UW
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. -- Danny Shelton called Washington coach Steve Sarkisian with good news Friday morning. Sarkisian's response was about what one might expect from someone hearing that a heralded four-star defensive tackle was committing to his school.
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"He was ecstatic," Shelton said.
Friday night, moments after the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl ended, the 6-foot-3, 300-pound Shelton, whose West team won 35-21, spoke about why he had chosen Washington over Oregon.
"I was going over it with my family; we just figured out everything," Shelton said. "Both programs are great. Both d-line coaches are great. But in the end, I had to go with the academics."
Shelton, who checks in at No. 147 in the latest Rivals250, is from Auburn, Wash., which he said is less than 30 minutes from the Washington campus.
For a while during the recruiting process, Oregon was in front. But Washington made a push after Shelton's official visit in early December. An in-home visit from Sarkisian last week helped seal the deal.
"We just really connected with him," Shelton said.
Shelton's commitment wasn't a major surprise. On Monday, he arrived in Myrtle Beach wearing a Huskies cap.
For Shelton, the recruiting process might not be over just yet.
He said there was a "possibility" he still may visit UCLA sometime before Signing Day.
"I talked to UCLA a lot," Shelton said. "They're still trying to get me. I told them I would think about taking another visit."
After a strong week of practice, Shelton came up big in Friday's game. On several plays, he got into the East backfield. And he even showed the ability to make tackles down field.
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