High School Football: Players to Watch in 2025
Brandon Huffman, 247's national recruiting editor, joins the podcast this week to talk about a few local prospects he's keeping an eye on in 2025.
Every time I see Brandon Huffman, I think about the same moment. I was standing near the Husky Stadium tunnel before a Washington football game. I don’t remember the date, and the opponent doesn’t matter. Huffman was with his daughter, Avery, who was bravely fighting DIPG, a rare and aggressive brain tumor that typically affects children.
Avery, seated in a wheelchair and surrounded by her family, was honored on the field before the game. I did my best to create an image that captured the emotion of that moment.
Now, as a father myself, I think about the pain and heartache Huffman and his family must have endured. So, before diving into the players to watch in 2025, it felt appropriate to check in with Huffman about how Avery’s memory continues to spread light to others.
Through the Avery Strong 7in7 League, the Avery Strong College Showcase, and the Bravery 7in7 Tour, Huffman is creating opportunities for up-and-coming athletes to make a name for themselves while working tirelessly to help find a cure. He’s raising money and awareness for DIPG through the Avery Strong Foundation.
"It's awesome," Huffman said. "I mean, it's the thing I'm most proud of – that I get to continue sharing her story."
Recently, Huffman was reminded of the lasting impact of Avery Strong. While at the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, he met an athlete from Canada who announced his college decision during the game.
That athlete had attended the very first Avery Strong Showcase at the University of Puget Sound in June 2023. At the time, he was a 6-foot-6 player with no offers.
"I was talking to him before the game, and he said, 'It's crazy. I came to the camp for your daughter, and nobody knew who I was. I just wanted to make a name for myself and was hoping maybe I’d get a Division III offer,'" Huffman shared.
Now, that same player is competing in the All-American Bowl.
"These kids come to play football, and that's their focus," Huffman said. "I want it to be their focus. But at the same time, they're helping our foundation give hope to families who might one day hear the news we did– that there's nothing that can be done.
"Seattle Children's Hospital, the hospital we're supporting, is doing groundbreaking work. And while it sucks that we don’t have Avery here, we know her legacy lives on. I get to continue telling her story to all these football players."
While the memory lives on, it’s been almost nine years since Avery’s passing, and the wound is still raw. Remembering the good times and celebrating her legacy is what keeps Huffman moving forward.
“Every year when I go to San Antonio, this picture pops up in my memories. It was the only time during her entire cancer fight that I left because she had gotten a good report from her doctor,” he said. “The doctor told me, ‘You can travel.’ So I went away, and she made me a little sign that said, ‘I love you, Dad. I miss you.’ She was holding it, and it pops up in my memories on my phone every time I’m in San Antonio.
“It feels like it was just yesterday that I got that. And yet, it was nine years ago. It’s still very raw, and it still hurts, but we’ve turned that hurt into something greater – to share her story and turn a sad story into one of hope for other families. My little girl is still helping to impact the world, and that’s exactly what, as a father, you want your children to be able to do.”
2025 Players to Watch in Washington
If you watched the Rose Bowl, you likely saw JT Tuimoloau (Eastside Catholic), Emeka Egbuka (Steilacoom High School – my alma mater), and Gee Scott Jr. (Eastside Catholic) all playing for Ohio State, proving that Washington continues to send elite football players to the next level.
As we look ahead to the class of 2026, which will finish their high school careers this season, there’s a particularly strong group of defensive players. In fact, according to Huffman, the top three players in the state are edge rushers, with four of the top five being defensive standouts.
Here are the top five players (with a few other names to watch) according to Huffman:
No. 1 Derek Coleman Brusa, 6-4, 230 (Kennedy Catholic): “He’s pretty much the unanimous No. 1 player in the state, just a dynamic, explosive edge rusher. His brother, Lowen (an offensive lineman) just signed with Washington last month. Derek’s top three schools are, essentially, Washington (the hometown school)” … Oregon and Ohio State.
No. 2 David Schwerzel, 6-4, 255 (O’Dea): He “was a key part of O’Dea’s State Championship this season, their first one in seven years. He could play inside as a three tech. He could be outside as an edge rusher.”
No. 3 Fameitau Siale, 6-4, 250 (O’Dea): “Lines up next to Schwerzel. Again, another big part of that “O’Dea state championship team, another guy that could play as a three tech could be an edge rusher.”
(Mason’s input): I watched Siale play a few times this season, and he’s the kind of player you see in warmups and say, ‘Wow, kid looks like he can play!”
No. 4 Terrance Sayron, 5-10, 160 (Evergreen, Vancouver): The one non-defensive player, Sayron is listed as an athlete and chose the Huskies over Oregon. Huffman noted that athletes from the Vancouver area could go either way with their college allegiances. “You’re kind of in no-man’s land.”
No. 5 Wassie Lugolobi, 6-2, 215 (Eastside Catholic): Already committed to Washington, he’s a true linebacker, but a guy that can also be an edge rusher.”
Other players to watch:
Giulio Banchero, 6-2, 174 (O’Dea): When people hear Banchero, it’s understandable if the first name that comes to mind is Paulo, the former O’Dea basketball star now in the early stages of his NBA career. However, the younger Banchero is making a name for himself on the football field. With the Irish’s run-first attack, Banchero doesn’t get a ton of passes thrown his way, but when he gets the opportunity, he makes plays – like his leaping catch in the final minute of O’Dea’s come-from-behind win over Eastside Catholic in the state semifinals.
Prin Fox, 6-3, 255 (Cashmere): “You don't necessarily think Cashmere, when we talk about Division I football players, and Prin Fox, a defensive lineman (speaking again to that defensive theme) is kind of overlooked a little bit because he's playing in Cashmere. He’s a monstrous defensive lineman.”
Young stars in the making:
Tytan McNeal, 6-4, 190 (Eastside Catholic): McNeal, more of a basketball player at the moment, was an impact player for the Crusaders on both sides of the ball as a freshman. He’s currently being recruited as a tight end. He will be a key part of Eastside Catholic’s success in 2025.
Aeydn Havili, 6-2, 275 (Eastside Catholic): The defensive lineman already has Division I offers after his freshman year, so keep an eye on his growth in 2025 and beyond.
As always, have a story idea? Click the link below to send me a message.