Elijah Qualls started to laugh. The 6-foot-1, 282-pound defensive lineman (Petaluma, Calif./Casa Grande) had just been asked about his continued efforts to bolster Washington’s 2013 recruiting class.

“I’m trying to win recruiter of the year,” Qualls said.

Throughout a summer filled with events like the Huskies’ Rising Stars Camp and The Opening, Qualls has worked the phones as hard as he has trained in the weight room.

He is getting so good at it he has found something he could focus on in the future.

“After my football career, which hopefully I have, if I don’t get into coaching then I’m definitely going to get into recruiting,” Qualls said.

He said he recently took a look at the Huskies class and was impressed by the 18 names on the list. He said he spent time talking to defensive end Marcus Farria (Peoria, Ariz./Centennial) and offensive lineman Sean Harlow (San Clemente, Calif./San Clemente) before they gave verbal commitments to Washington.

Since he helped coordinate the commitments of seven prospects during the Rising Stars Camp, Qualls has been busy. He is still working on his cousin and teammate, 2014 quarterback JaJuan Lawson.

“He doesn’t really know what he wants right now,” Qualls said. “He likes Arizona. So far, I’ve been able to convince a lot of people, so maybe I can get him.”

Qualls said he had a Saturday scrimmage to prepare for so, now that the season is starting, he is putting his recruiting efforts on the backburner.

“I’m working toward the season, just trying to get better, trying to get my team to a championship, hopefully,” he said.

Rated the No. 207 prospect in the nation, Qualls would like to take his official visit to Washington for the Huskies’ game against USC, Oct. 13. He also plans to take visits to Miami and Arizona, but remains committed to Washington.