Two UW Football Recruits Not Named Kasen Williams Have Big-Name Family Ties

The Seattle Times today in two interesting profiles that a pair of University of Washington football recruits have noteworthy family ties.

First, Mason Kelly writes that tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins has a grandfather who was the long-time conductor of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra.

For 35 years, Edward was the conductor of the Tacoma Symphony Orchestra, a man with the right mix of humor, personality and patience, qualities that came in handy for Seferian-Jenkins as he went through the recruiting process.

It’s been years since Edward died of cancer, but his grandson still seeks his approval.

“Do you think grandpa Edward would be proud of me?” Seferian-Jenkins sometimes asks his mother.

With the way the senior — one of the top-rated tight ends in the country — has carried himself both on and off the field throughout the recruiting process, the answer is yes.

Then, Doug Drowley writes that offensive lineman Dexter Charles, from Stanwood High School, has a rock star in his family tree.

And if fame should happen, Charles has only to seek out an attendee at family gatherings to get some good advice. That is because Duff McKagan, the bassist for the band Guns N’ Roses is his great uncle — again on his dad’s side.

“Everybody I talk to asks me if it is exciting, do I get to meet him,” Charles said. “Yeah, I do, every year. But he’s just family to me. That’s my uncle. I’m not star-struck or anything.”

Add those two to wide receiver Kasen Williams, whose father played for Washington, and this star-studded recruiting class brings some serious family storylines to the table.

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