UW Huskies land one of the top running back recruits in the country

UW Huskies coach Jedd Fisch has reeled in another big-time 2026 recruit.

Four-star running back Brian Bonner Jr. announced his commitment to Washington on social media Tuesday afternoon, following an initial report from On3.com’s Hayes Fawcett.

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Bonner, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound recruit from Valencia High School in Southern California, is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 6 running back and No. 104 overall recruit in the 2026 high school class.

According to Fawcett, Bonner chose the Huskies over UCLA, Penn State and Nebraska.

As a junior last fall at Valencia High, Bonner rushed for 1,493 yards, 25 touchdowns and 7.6 yards per carry. He also had 40 catches for 498 yards and four TDs.

“Bonner is among the top running backs in the country and has the kind of all-around game that should allow him to play early in college,” 247Sports national recruiting analyst Greg Biggins wrote on May 27. “… He’s a speed back who can hit the home run from anywhere on the field and is always a threat to break off a big-gainer.

“Really separates himself from other backs as a pass catcher and has played some slot and outside receiver during his prep career,” Biggins added. “Catches the ball very naturally. … With his size, explosiveness and skill set, Bonner has a chance to be very special at the next level.”

Bonner is the sixth four-star recruit in the Huskies’ 2026 class. He joins four-star offensive tackle Kodi Greene (Santa Ana, Calif.), four-star edge rusher Derek Colman-Brusa (Kennedy Catholic High School), four-star wide receiver Mason James (Norman, Okla.), four-star safety Gavin Day (Las Vegas) and four-star cornerback Jeron Jones (Mission Viejo, Calif.).

Washington is No. 17 in 247Sports’ 2026 recruiting class rankings. That’s just two spots off the Huskies’ best-ever 247Sports recruiting ranking, when they finished No. 15 in 2019. Washington’s 2025 class ranks No. 23.

Let’s rock! https://t.co/DqgP9tZAib

— Brian Bonner Jr (@Brianbonner34) July 8, 2025

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