On Tuesday morning, the University of Washington announced a new ten-year partnership with adidas.

The Huskies had been a Nike school, but coming July 1, 2019, the Huskies will become the 12th licensed NCAA program with adidas.

The outfitter of the All-American Bowl and the sponsor of the adidas 7v7 National Championships, held this past weekend in Southern California, adidas is becoming a bigger part of prep football, with two of the biggest national showcase events having the three stripes a part of it.

Now, the Huskies are set to become their second current program in the Pac-12 to partner with adidas, joining Arizona State.

The Twitter reaction to the partnership was swift and optimistic from several current Husky targets as well as some Washington signees.

Brandon Kaho, the top recruit in the Huskies' 2018 class and a five-star by 247Sports, raved about the decision.

"I actually really love adidas, but I’m happy with any uniform we get," said Kaho. "I absolutely do think it will have a great impact to our team and the whole community. It’s something new and I’m excited."

Fellow signee Sam Taimani also reacted to the news.

"I don’t mind the switch -- I’ll play in whatever," said Taimani. "But I think adidas has really nice gear.”

Two of Washington's commits play in adidas- one for their high school and the other for their 7v7 team.

"I really like the switch up," said Graham (Wash.) Kapowsin quarterback Dylan Morris, Washington's first commit in the 2019 class. "I’m a fan of adidas. I wear their uniforms right now in high school and I think they’re awesome. I’m also really excited to see what adidas does with the UW uniform."

His future teammate, Westlake (Calif.) defensive back and Husky commit Kamren Fabiculanan, plays for Premium 7v7.

“I think it will make a big impact just because adidas right now is doing so much for us during 7 on 7," said Fabiculanan. "Everyone is catching onto the wave, especially with the new cleats and gear they’re coming out with. I’m excited and definitely think it will be a positive for recruiting.”

One of the most prominent high school teams in Washington is Sammamish (Wash.) Eastside Catholic, which won 3A state titles in 2014 and 2015 and made it to the semifinals the last two years.

A number of their players, who are Husky recruits, also play for Seattle-based FSP Blue Chip 7v7, which finished third in this past weekend's adidas 7v7 National Championships and is one of adidas' programs on the West Coast.

"I think UW signing with adidas was a great step forward for them," said 2020 four-star defensive back Ayden Hector. "adidas football is on the come up quickly."

D.J. Rogers, a four-star tight end in the 2020 class and a teammate of Hector at both Eastside Catholic and with FSP, agreed.

"The culture of adidas is something we have grown into from 7v7 to my high school team, and now with the hometown team, this is awesome," said Rogers. "The three-stripe life is really taking over and I love it and the gear they produce. I’m excited to see the future of adidas.”

Another four-star from the 2020 class for the Lancers, Sam Adams, also lauded the move.

"With FSP being with adidas and me wearing it since the 8th grade, my high school being sponsored and now the hometown Huskies being adidas, this is really cool," said Adams.

And the top recruit at Eastside Catholic in the 2020 class, Top 100 receiver Gee Scott, likes the move for the bigger picture.

"adidas has became more than a brand, it’s became a lifestyle," said Scott.

Four-star offensive tackle Enokk Vimahi is set to play in the 2019 All-American Bowl in San Antonio, where he'll be sporting the three stripes.

"I think the switch for them is great," said Vimahi. "I love adidas gear because it's both comfortable and looks clean. adidas is growing bigger and better each year."

Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou linebacker Maninoa Tufono comes from a Washington family, and he's had numerous Nike shirts over the years that sported a Husky logo. His father, Albert, played for the Dawgs in the 1980's.

He too was thrilled with the switch.

"I think adidas is one of the best and now I feel like they are on the same level or even better than Nike now," said Tufono. "I would wear adidas over Nike any day.”

Other Washington recruits commented on the overall fit of the uniforms and gear.

“I think adidas is super nice and light," said Orem (Utah) receiver Puka Nacua. "The gloves are not as sticky as Nike. But the way the uniforms fit and the tights and stuff are nice. I wear adidas cleats during the season because they last really long and are lightweight.”

Gilbert (Ariz.) Williams Field four-star safety Noa Pola-Gates thinks adidas is making a major push.

"I think adidas is doing a lot of fun stuff with their apparel," said Pola-Gates. "I have a pair of adidas cleats with the little gold goat emojis on them. It’s time for Nike to up their creative game. It sounds like adidas is stealing the show"

One of the Huskies' top targets is Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei four-star cornerback Jeremiah Criddell, who has played for another adidas 7v7 program, Ground Zero, the past two years.

Criddell is a big fan of the switch.

"It's huge because we feel like adidas has so many different and unique football cleats and gloves that you could never go wrong with the brand," said Criddell. "The saying is that 'if you feel good, you play good' and that is what adidas provides. The uniforms at Washington already have some heat but adidas will add a unique extra touch."

Malik James, owner of Premium Sports, which runs one of the top 7v7 programs in Southern California, said this was a huge step for the Huskies.

“It’s going to be huge for UW," said James. "Arizona State is really the only other adidas sponsored team out West right now. Washington is a top 2-3 program out here and every kid loves what adidas is doing. There nothing hotter then adidas- they have the best cleats, the best uniforms, the best promos and kids relate to what they’re doing. adidas runs football out here now and Washington is already a hot brand and just like Oregon got kids excited because of their uniforms and how big Nike was, I can see the same thing happening for Washington and adidas. That’s going to be a powerful recruiting tool.”

James' quarterback for Premium is Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei 2020 four-star Bryce Young, who has long liked the Huskies and plans to visit for their spring game this month.

“I think it will definitely have a positive effect on recruiting," said Young. "adidas really has a lock on the youth and shows the most love to the players. I believe because of this, it will affect a lot of recruits decisions because of their past experiences with adidas.”

While he's now at IMG Academy, receiver Josh Delgado previously played for James with Premium and he's been a longtime Husky lean.

“Every big team is with adidas and depending on how adidas does with the jerseys, this could be a huge boost," said Delgado. "It doesn’t affect me too much but I think this will definitely change things for the better. adidas is definitely a fan favorite right now so this could be big and I’m hoping it becomes something special.”

247Sports' Greg Biggins and Blair Angulo contributed to this report.



