West Linn, Oregon, tight end Baron Naone announced his commitment to Washington on Monday morning. This commitment makes Naone the top recruit in Oregon’s 2025 class to join the Huskies.
Baron Naone initially chose Oregon State over Washington back in October, which came as a bit of a surprise, especially considering it followed Washington’s dramatic win over Oregon at Husky Stadium. However, Naone reopened his recruitment after Jonathan Smith and Brian Wozniak left Corvallis for Michigan State.
The Beavers managed to get Naone in for an official visit, but Jordan Paopao, who had been recruiting Naone while at Arizona, intensified his efforts after joining the Huskies’ staff in Seattle. Naone also visited Cal, but ultimately committed to Washington.
A Polynesian Bowl selection, Naone is rated as a four-star recruit by 247Sports, the No. 1 recruit in Oregon, and the No. 16 tight end nationally in the 2025 class. According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite Rankings, Naone is the No. 31 tight end in the country while maintaining his status as the top-ranked recruit in Oregon.
Washington has been aiming to secure two tight ends in this class, hosting several for official visits during the spring. Naone has been a top target since Paopao returned to Montlake. Although Naone has excelled as an edge rusher in high school, he has showcased his talent as a pass-catcher in the 7v7 and camp circuits, and he is expected to be utilized as a pass-catching weapon in the Husky offense.
Baron Naone is a versatile two-way player who excels on both the offensive and defensive lines. While he primarily plays as an edge rusher, he has the frame to slide inside and play tackle. Naturally big with significant growth potential, Naone is physically strong at the point of attack, whether he’s blocking inline or rushing off the edge. As a blocker, he demonstrates the ability to engage, maintain balance, and drive his opponent down the field.
Playing in a run-heavy offense, Naone hasn’t had many opportunities to showcase his pass-catching skills during games. However, in 7v7 competitions, he has proven to be a natural pass-catcher with strong hands and smooth route-running abilities. While he may not be the deep threat that some other tight ends in the class are, he is a reliable possession receiver who can consistently move the chains.
Naone’s game will continue to evolve as he improves athletically, particularly in terms of speed and burst. His highly competitive nature and strong work ethic off the field suggest that he will be an impactful player at the next level.
