GIG HARBOR, Wash.—Targets don’t come much bigger than Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
Considered one of the top tight ends in the country, Seferian-Jenkins is about to enter his final season at Gig Harbor High School. As a junior, the 6-foot-7 Seferian-Jenkins caught 62 passes for 1,152 yards and 11 touchdowns.
To go along with his attractive height, Seferian-Jenkins has also been clocked at 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Oh, and he plays basketball, too.
Seferian-Jenkins received more than 20 offers from Division I schools, finally narrowing his choice to two, Texas and Washington. In the end, he decided to stay home.
He gave a verbal commitment to the Huskies and coach Steve Sarkisian early this month in a press conference at Gig Harbor Yacht Club.
“I want to play for my state,” he said. “I want to represent Washington. We’re going to get Rose Bowls and national championships. I firmly believe that.”
But first Seferian-Jenkins wants to help the Gig Harbor Tides, who went 4-6 last season, losing in the first round of the district playoffs.
Seferian-Jenkins commanded much of the attention from opposing defenses. One observer said he always appeared open simply because he towered over everyone else.
Seferian-Jenkins is trying to graduate early from Gig Harbor so he can join the Huskies for spring practice. He could play both football and basketball at Washington, although most speculate he’ll focus on football.
“Coach Sark, the players there—it’s going to be a national championship soon, and I want to be part of that,” he said.
