Updated Feb 2, 2012 - 10:28 am
Meet the 28 new Cougs
It's here again, that wonderful day where fax machines at schools across the nation start ringing and the National Letters of Intent start flowing in.
Today, Mike Leach and the Cougs expect to welcome 25 new Cougs in to the fold.
Here's the link to the official website that includes just about everything you want to know about these guys. Also, Coach Leach will be conducting an on-line chat here and then giving a press conference at 2pm, which you can watch live here.
Check back here all day as we'll be updating the blog with all of the new Cougs as they send in their letters.
1. Feddie Davey, 5-11 190, Safety, Miami, FL
Recorded 88 tackles as a SENIOR, helping NHS defense post a shutout in the Class 5A state title game to finish off a perfect 15-0 campaign and finish the season ranked No. 8 nationally by ESPN...made a season-high 11 tackles in season opener...finished the season with four sacks and one fumble recovery...also blocked four punts.
2. Pierson Villarrubia, 6-4 275, OL, Mandeville, LA
As a SENIOR named All-Metro District 7-4A by New Orleans Times-Picayune...rated a three-star prospect by ESPNU...led Lakeshore to its first playoff appearance last fall.
3. Austin Apodaca, 6-3 185, QB, Longmont, CO
Named honorable mention all-Tri-Valley Conference as a SOPHOMORE...as a JUNIOR named North Conference Offensive Player of the Year after connecting on 64 percent of his passes for 2,367 yards and 25 touchdowns...also ran for 256 yards and three scores...as a SENIOR named All-Colorado by The Denver Post, all-classifications all-state by PrepColorado.com and led SLHS to a 12-2 record and the school's inaugural trip to the state title game...earned North Conference Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for a state-high 3,849 yards with 44 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions...also rushed for 203 yards and nine touchdowns...named one of Denver Post's top 15 seniors...ranked the No. 58 quarterback prospect and received three stars from Scout.com...rated the No. 12 quarterback in the West by Scout.com...rated the No. 137 overall prospect in the West Top 150 by Scout.com.
4. Keith Ewing, 6-2 215, LB, Bellaire, TX
First verbal commitment for coach Mike Leach...as a JUNIOR finished with 54 tackles, nine sacks and three fumble recoveries...led team to 5A State Playoffs both junior and senior seasons...as a SENIOR was named Texas 5A District Co-Defensive MVP...racked up 44 tackles (34 solo) including a league-high 13 sacks through first eight games of season...rated three stars by Rivals.com.
5. Eduardo Middleton, 6-5 290, OL, Oceanside, CA
As a SENIOR was named all-San Diego Section, all-area and all-league...named Academic All-San Diego...awarded OHS Offensive Lineman of the Year...named Offensive Line MVP of Los Angeles Ultimate 100 Camp...ranked No. 93 offensive lineman by Scout.com...rated three stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com.
6. Niu Sale, 6-4 315, OL, Los Alamitos, CA
Attended Los Angeles Harbor Community College...earned unanimous first-team All-Central West Conference accolades as a FRESHMAN, blocking for current Utah running back John White who finished the season with 1,491 yards...as a SOPHOMORE earned second straight unanimous first-team All-Central West Conference honor, blocking for fellow WSU signee Theron West and helping LACC average192.5 ypg...rated three stars and the No. 24 JUNIOR college prospect by Rivals.com.
7. Robert Lewis, 5-10 160, WR, South Gate, CA
As a SOPHOMORE made 14 catches for 192 yards and two touchdowns and carried 137 times for 1,085 yards and seven scores...as a JUNIOR earned second team All-Los Angeles and first team All-Eastern League honors...rushed 142 times for 1,090 yards and seven scores...caught 14 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns...had two punt returns for touchdowns, one kickoff return for a touchdown and also scored once on a fake punt...as a SENIOR was named the Player of the Year in the division, league and region...led South East HS to a 13-1 record and its inaugural City Section D-II Championship...also played running back, safety and returned kicks...scored 36 total touchdowns...had 203 carries for 2,023 yards and 30 touchdowns, and 20 receptions of 338 yards...as a defensive back made 59 tackles, five interceptions and blocked three kicks...named All-Area First Team by the Los Angeles Times and was All-Los Angeles City Section Division II Team...ranked the nation's No. 10 running back prospect by Rivals.com...named No. 26 prospect in California by ESPNU...rated four stars by ESPNU...rated the No. 106 overall prospect in the West Top 150 by Scout.com...rated the No. 13 wide receiver prospect in the West by FoxSportsNext.com.
8. Jacob Tuivaiave, 6-4 250, LB, Tacoma, WA
As a SENIOR was named first-team Class 2A All-State by Associated Press...named South Puget Sound League Defensive MVP...named first-team All-South Puget Sound League at both tight end and linebacker... named to Seattle Times Red Chip list...rated a three-star defensive end and No. 16 prospect in Washington by ESPNU.
9. David Bucannon, 6-2 180, Safety, Fairfield, CA
As a JUNIOR earned all-region, all-city and all-league honors as a defensive back after making a league-high 108 tackles...also made 17 catches for 227 yards and three touchdowns...led the city with 114 tackles as a SENIOR... recorded two interceptions, nine pass breakups and forced two fumbles...caught 26 passes at wide receiver...named first team All-California by Fox SportsNext...earned Cal-High Sports First-Team All-State for medium schools...earned All-Solano County Athletic Conference accolades...played in the Holiday Classic, the Bay Area's all-star game...rated three stars and the No. 57 safety prospect in the country by Scout.com...rated three stars by ESPNU and Rivals.com...rated the No. 136 overall prospect in the West Top 150 by Scout.com...his brother, Deone, is a safety for the Cougars.
10. Kache Palacio, 6-2 225, LB, Gardena, CA
As a JUNIOR recorded 70 tackles including 16 sacks...made one interception and broke up eight pass...as a SENIOR was named co-MVP of Mission League after making 92 tackles (45 solo), 13.5 sacks, one interception five pass breakups and three forced fumbles...rated three stars by Rivals.com and Scout.com...ranked the No. 15 outside linebacker prospect in the West by FoxSportsNext.com.
11. Brett Bartolone, 5-10 180, WR, La Habra, CA
As a SOPHOMORE made 45 catches for 1,042 yards and 12 touchdowns...also had 21 carries for 179 yards and two scores...was named Freeway League Offensive Player of the Year and first team All-County as a SENIOR...made 50 receptions for 643 yards and eight touchdowns...averaged 7.0 yards-per-carry...rushed for 924 yards and nine touchdowns... earned all-CIF Southwest Division First Team honors ...rated a three-star prospect by ESPNU.
12. Gabriel Marks, 5-11 175, WR, Los Angeles, CA
Posted 53 tackles as a SOPHOMORE...as a JUNIOR was named MVP of Los Angeles Nike Football Training Camp...caught 35 passes and recorded 1,344 all-purpose yards...scored 13 touchdowns and made five interceptions...named league's defensive player of the year as a SENIOR...had 65 receptions and 10 touchdowns.... named All-Area First Team on defense by the Los Angeles Times... All-LA Times Southland Team... All-Los Angeles City Section Defensive MVP... four interceptions...rated a four-star prospect by ESPNU, Rivals.com and Scout.com...rated the No. 87 overall prospect in The Rivals 250 by Rivals.com...rated the No. 39 wide receiver prospect by Scout.com...rated the No. 5 wide receiver prospect in the West by FoxSportsNext.com...Rivals.com ranks him the No. 15 overall prospect out of California...named the No. 44 overall prospect in the West Top 150 by Scout.com...rated the No. 13 wide receiver prospect by Rivals.com...named to Tacoma News Tribune's Western 100...rated No. 16 athlete prospect by Superprep All-America...high school teammate of fellow signee running back Teondray Caldwell who signed with WSU in January, 2012
13. Khalil Pettway, 6-4 205, OLB, Culver City, CA
Three-year starter for CCHS...made 64 tackles and three sacks as a JUNIOR...as a SENIOR made 79 tackles (40 solo), two sacks and one interception...rated three stars by ESPNU, Rivals.com and Scout.com...rated the No. 36 inside linebacker prospect in the country by Rivals.com...ranked No. 14 outside linebacker prospect in the West by FoxSportsNext.com...ranked the No. 61 prospect in California by ESPNU.
14. Ioane Guata, 6-3 300, Nose Tackle, Anaheim, CA
Attended Fullerton JUNIOR College in Fullerton, Calif....as a FRESHMAN made 22 tackles (12 solo) including two sacks...earned first-team All-Southern Conference accolades as a SOPHOMORE after making 20 tackles (12 solo), 4.5 for loss including three sacks...also recorded one interception and recovered one fumble...rated three stars by Rivals.com...will have three years to play two seasons for the Cougs.
15. Alex Jackson, 5-10 175, WR, Culver City, CA
As a JUNIOR made 44 catches for 811 yards and 13 touchdowns...season-best game of six catches for 134 yards and three touchdowns against Inglewood...earned All-Ocean League First Team and All-CIF honors...as a SENIOR made 55 receptions for 1,083 yards and 12 touchdowns...also returned eight kickoffs for 238 yards...repeated as all-league first-team selection...earned all-CIF Western Division First Team honors...led team to 10-4 record while posting four 100-yard receiving games...season-high 166 yards on six catches against Santa Monica...rated a four-star prospect by ESPNU...the country's No. 43 wide receiver prospect by ESPNU...rated three stars and ranked the No. 77 overall prospect out of California by Rivals.com.
16. Sam Flor, 6-4 285, OL, Seattle, WA
As a SOPHOMORE named to Seattle Times' Players to Watch list...earned second team All-Metro League honors on offensive line...helped OHE claim Metro League title...earned first team all-league honors and led OHS to second straight Metro League title as a JUNIOR...as a SENIOR named all-classifications all-state by Seattle Times...named Class 3A all-state by Associated Press and all-area...earned first team all-league honors and Metro League Offensive Lineman of the Year...led OHS to third consecutive league title and an appearance in state title game...named to Seattle Times Red Chip list...ranked the No. 24 prospect in Washington by ESPNU...also lettered twice in basketball...will pursue an engineering degree at WSU.
17. Jeremiah Allison, 6-1 210, LB, Los Angeles, CA
As a JUNIOR tallied 88 tackles, 20 sacks and one interception...named to Los Angeles Times All-Southland Team... All-LA City Section Team... Wave Newspapers All-City Team...named to MaxPreps Division I All-California First Team..as a SENIOR recorded 23 sacks, including four in 7-6 win over Crenshaw...finished his high school career with 63 sacks...participated in Semper Fidelis Bowl last month...named to All-LA Times Southland Team... All-Los Angeles City Section Team... The Wave All-Area Team...repeated selection on MaxPreps Division I All-California First Team...rated three stars by ESPNU, Rivals.com and Scout.com...Scout.com has him rated as the No. 40 outside linebacker prospect nationally, No. 7 OLB in the West and No. 45 overall prospect in California...rated the No. 74 overall prospect in the West Top 150 by Scout.com... rated the No. 53 outside linebacker prospect in the country by Rivals.com...named to Tacoma News Tribune's Western 100...received straight A's throughout high school career...4.25 GPA.
18. Sam Jones, 6-6 295, OL, Bear, DE
Starting left tackle at PIMA CC during 2011 season...will have two years of eligibility at WSU...Spent 2009 season at NC STATE as a redshirt, he was named the Offensive Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Maryland game ... Originally signed with NC State in the spring of 2008, but attended Hargrave Military Academy...enrolled in January, 2009 and went through spring drills...PREP: Played offensive guard and tackle at Hargrave for Coach Robert Prunty ...was ranked as the nation's No. 11 Prep school player in the nation after his high school campaign...also earned the Military Order of the World Wars Leadership Award...an all-conference performer for David Riggs at Fuquay-Varina High School, where he played defensive end and offensive tackle.
19. B.J. Salmonson, 6-5 285, OL, Everson, WA
As a JUNIOR named first-team Class 1A all-state as a defensive lineman and all-state honorable mention as an offensive lineman by Associated Press...named all-classifications Whatcom County and first-team all-NWC on both lines...finished season with 78 tackles (30 solo) including 16.5 for loss and 9.5 sacks...as a SENIOR named to 2011 Ron Siegel Washington State Preseason SENIOR All-State Team...named first-team all-state on offensive line by Associated Press... named to Seattle Times Red Chip list.
20. Theron West, 5-8 170, RB, Compton, CA
As a FRESHMAN at LA Harbor rushed 61 times for 462 yards and five touchdowns...caught 10 passes for 112 yards and two scores...earned All-Central West Conference honors at special teams after averaging 36.0 yards per punt return, including two for touchdowns...also averaged 19.2 yards per kick return...backed up current Utah running back John White as a freshman...as a SOPHOMORE had 98 carries for 653 yards and six touchdowns...caught 12 passes for 126 yards...rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com.
21. Taylor Tailulu, 5-11 175, Safety, Aiea, HI
As a JUNIOR named all-State honorable mention...ranked No. 101 safety in country and rated three stars by Scout.com during SENIOR year...earned all-State second team honors...rated the No. 10 prospect in Hawaii by ESPNU, No. 4 by 247Sports and No. 7 by Rivals.com.
22. Destiny Vaeao, 6-3 255, DE, Pago Pago, American Samoa
As a JUNIOR helped team to Island Championship...SENIOR year team reach championship game...had eight touchdown receptions and 500 receiving yards...selected to play in the International Bowl all-star game for high school seniors from Samoa and Canada against seniors from other states...participated in 2011 Samoa Bowl, 2012 IFAF World Game and 2012 IFAF Samoa vs. Australia game...also plays soccer and volleyball.
23. Alex Mitchell, 6-2 309, OL, Portland, OR
MITCHELL'S HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
Attended Wilson High School his FRESHMAN year and earned a varsity letter under head coach Aaron Olson...as a SOPHOMORE transferred to Jefferson High School where played under head coach Anthony Stoudimiere...earned three additional varsity letters...played offensive and defensive line....first-team all-league...as a JUNIOR named first-team all-league...invited to Army All-American Junior Combine...as a SENIOR named first-team All-State defensive line...second-team All-State offensive line...registered 97 tackles and 10 sacks on season...also had interception, fumble recovery and three forced fumbles...season-high 13 tackles in 28-20 win over Portland...team went 10-1, advancing to third round of Oregon State playoffs.
PERSONAL
Alexander Mitchell...born in Portland, Ore...parents Matthew and Daria...brother Jacob...plans to pursue a business degree at WSU.
24. Rahmel Dockery, 5-10 170, WR, Tacoma, WA
Played under head football coach Clay Angle at Curtis...also was an outstanding high jumper, clearing 7-feet as a sophomore...JUNIOR season had 36 receptions for 1,077 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns...added 21 rushes for 211 yards and two scores, along with 21 total returns for 596 yards and 3 touchdowns...SENIOR year led team to a 12-1 record and a semifinal berth at the 4A State Championship...named to the Tacoma News Tribune's Western 100...TNT's All-State Player of the Year... totaled more than 2,600 all-purpose yards... finished with 73 catches for 1,443 yards and 17 touchdowns, rushed for 713 yards, averaging 14.6 yards per carry...in 4A state semifinal against Skyline, caught eight passes for 140 yards and three touchdowns, rushed for 31 yards and threw a 40-yard pass...All-SPSL 4A Offensive Back of the Year and first-team all-league wide receiver and special teams...named first-team All-State by the News Tribune and WashingtonPreps, the latter also naming him Most Valuable Overall...also named to Associated Press and Seattle Times All-State teams.
25. Robert Barber, 6-3 290, DT, Pago Pago, American Samoa
As a JUNIOR helped team to runner-up finish in Island championship game...SENIOR year team captured Island championship...participated in 2011 Samoa Bowl, 2012 IFAF World Game and 2012 IFAF Samoa vs. Australia game...also plays cricket.
26. Mike Bowlin, 6-4 210, K, Aliso Viejo, CA
BOWLIN'S JUNIOR COLLEGE CAREER
Attended Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, Calif....enrolled at WSU in January, 2012, and has two years of eligibility remaining...earned Southern California Football Association First-Team honors as a SOPHOMORE after hitting on 11 of 15 FG attempts and averaging 64.1 yards per kickoff with 14 touchbacks....signed with Oregon out of high school in 2009 but transferred to Saddleback in spring, 2010.
BOWLIN'S HIGH SCHOOL CAREER
Was a Tacoma News Tribune Northwest 100 selection ... South Coast League Special Teams Player of the Year...named Second-Team All South Coast League Defense (Defensive Line)...played football, baseball and competed in wrestling and track and field.
27. Teondray Caldwell, 5-10 185, RB, Los Angeles, CA
As a JUNIOR rushed for 400 yards on 47 carries and caught 51 passes for 776 yards and eight touchdowns...as a SENIOR (2010) earned all-city honors despite playing just eight games due to injury...rushed for 1,085 yards and 19 touchdowns including a 290-yard performance in the season opener...originally signed with Nevada in 2011 but did not attend...enrolled at WSU in January, 2012.
28. Denzell Dotson, 6-3 305, OL, Peoria, AZ
As a SOPHOMORE helped CHS to a 13-1 record and a state title...earned all-conference honorable mention...as a JUNIOR earned second team all-state and first team all-division honors...as a SENIOR led CHS to an 11-2 record and an appearance in the State Championship game...earned first team all-state, all-conference and All-Arizona honors...participated in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl Game in Dallas, Texas, Dec. 29...rated the No. 18 guard prospect in the West by FoxSportsNext.com...rated the No. 46 guard prospect in the country by Rivals.com...rated the No. 134 overall prospect in the West Top 150 by Scout.com...graduated this past December and enrolled at WSU in January, 2012.
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CJinVic10 wrote...The one Leach let get away.February 2, 2012 8:42 am{ "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }Reply Report this as abuse
Bert graduated from WSU in 1999 with a Bachelor's degree from the Murrow School of Communication. A die-hard Cougar fan while in Pullman, Bert's infatuation for all things Crimson and Gray turned in to an all-out obsession in the years since he's left. Bert is an unapologetic Cougar fanatic, and promises to provide crimson-skewed and completely subjective commentary about WSU teams and the world of sports as it relates to them.
