Monday, May 7, 2012 @ 3:15pm
710 ESPN Seattle to air WSU football, men's basketball
Washington State football and men's basketball games will move from 770 KTTH to 710 ESPN Seattle beginning this fall.
Bob Robertson will return for his 47th season with the Cougars and will be joined by a pair of new additions to the broadcast team. Former WSU receiver Shawn McWashington will provide analysis while 710 ESPN Seattle's Jessamyn McIntyre will be the sideline reporter. Bud Nameck will move from the sideline to the booth. Jim Walden will no longer be a part of the broadcast team.
WSU atheltic director Bill Moos made the announcements on 710 ESPN Seattle on Monday.
The coverage of WSU football and men's basketball on 710 ESPN Seattle and 710Sports.com will also include:
• A weekly segment with coach Mike Leach on "The Kevin Calabro Show" during the football season;
• A two-hour pregame show and one-hour postgame show for football games and a 30-minute pre and postgame show for men's basketball games;
• A dedicated section on 710Sports.com.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 @ 2:35pm
ESPN's Ted Miller likes WSU's bowl chances in 2012
Ted Miller's recent conversation with Steve Sandmeyer and Jim Moore should be of interest to Washington State fans hoping to see the Cougars in a postseason game for the first time since 2003.
Miller, who covers Pac-12 football for ESPN.com, thinks Washington State will reach the six-win threshold to become bowl-eligible in Mike Leach's first season.
"I don't think they can make much more of a jump because I still think they have questions on the lines and the defense, but I think they're going to get to a bowl game," Miller said.
Below is a sampling of Miller's thoughts on Washington State.
Linebacker concerns. Leach has dismissed starters Sekope Kaufusi and C.J. Mizell following separate arrests since last season. With Alex Hoffman-Ellis graduating, the Cougars aren't returning any of their starters. Miller: "That's not a really good recipe when you also have questions on the defensive line. They're adopting a 3-4 defense so they even need more linebackers. So I think the defense is going to struggle to keep up."
Jeff Tuel's development. Miller said that while senior Jeff Tuel possesses NFL talent, he doesn't have the accuracy that Leach typically likes in a quarterback. Tuel, who will compete with sophomore Connor Halliday, has completed just under 60 percent of his passes during his three-year career. Miller: Maybe he's going to develop that in Leach's system, which is a more controlled passing game."
Leach was a 'great' hire. Miller called Leach's hiring "great" and said he is the "perfect" coach for Pullman, citing the success Leach had while coaching in a similarly remote environment in Lubbock, Texas. Miller said Leach's personality should remind some fans of former Washington State coach Mike Price. Miller: "I think people like the quirkiness. I think that will play well and get attention for a school that sometimes doesn't get [it]."
You can listen to Miller's conversation with Moore and Sandmeyer here.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012 @ 12:54pm
Does Mike Leach's zero tolerance policy make sense?
Mike Leach has made it clear in his short time at Washington State that certain off-field behavior won't be tolerated.
The latest reminder came last week, when linebacker Sekope Kaufusi was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Two days later, he was dismissed from the football team, becoming the third player to be shown the door since Leach was hired in December.
Does Leach's zero tolerance policy go too far? Mike Salk discussed that question in Tuesday's Wrap Up video.
You can download Tuesday's podcast here.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 @ 11:18am
Rooting for Cougs comes with plenty of disappointment
Here it is three days later and I'm still agonizing over the Cougars' 59-55 loss to the Huskies in Pullman.
Why am I still agonizing? Aren't I used to Cougar losses by now? Did I really expect the Cougs to beat the Huskies?
These are all fair questions. And as usual, I either don't have answers or don't have good answers for any of those questions.
Kevin Calabro called it a good win for the Huskies, and I'm thinking: "Was it really?" Beating the eighth-best team in the Pac-12 isn't my definition of a good win.
 The Go 2 Guy feels Brock Motum's pain. (AP) |
If the Huskies want to call it a good win, I'll call it a bad loss for the Cougs, really bad. Believe me, when you follow the Cougs, you know the difference between good losses, bad losses and really bad losses.
Good losses are the ones in which the Cougs put up a good effort against a superior opponent, only to be out-talented in the end. But, man, what a fight it was, and you're proud of their performance. Maybe next time we'll get 'em.
If I'm being completely honest, good losses are also the ones in which I took the Cougs and the points and they covered the spread.
Bad losses are losses in which we were favored to win and somehow lost.
Really bad losses are any losses to the Huskies. It doesn't matter where they happen -- Beasley Coliseum, Alaska Airlines Arena, Martin Stadium or Husky Stadium -- every one of them is really bad.
Like any Coug, I hate losing to the Dawgs because it fuels their already over-the-top superiority complex.
And when it happens like it did on Saturday -- blowing a 13-point lead in the last 12 minutes by making 6 of 20 free throws -- it's the absolute worst.
Hey, guys, in case you'd forgotten, Washington is the team that can't shoot free throws, not you! You led the Pac-12 in free-throw shooting? What the hell happened?
Actually, there's a question I can answer -- I know what the hell happened. The Cougs started to think too much and played not to lose instead of playing to win. They looked tight, and I don't get that at all.
Really, if you're Washington State, what do you have to lose in that game? You're at home, you should be loose and carefree because the outcome makes no difference to you. Washington, with a conference championship on the line, should have been the tighter team.
I'm rambling, but it's just so damn frustrating. I'm sick of getting my hopes up and being let down again. Then to cap it off, we blow it in the worst way possible.
It would be one thing if Patrick Simon's attempt at a game-winning three had rattled in and out, but to have it come up three feet short was just so classic Coug. Hate to get down on Simon and my team, but come on! At least draw iron, Patrick!
I know, I know, Simon hadn't played and was colder than Sitka, but still.
I don't expect much, really I don't. I would just like to have my 7-year-olds experience a Cougar victory over the Huskies at some point. I don't want them to keep telling me: "We suck at everything, dad."
It's gotten so bad that I received an email yesterday from a fellow Coug who got a psychiatrist to break down our frustration. This is what the shrink wrote:
"Cougar fans suffer so much pain because they operate under an intermittent reinforcement program. That is, a win every now and then, with the interval unpredictable, maintains the behavior of the possibility of another win.
"Thus, we continue to suffer pain because we are always anticipating happiness. It's a law of behaviorism that Skinner discovered and validated.
Another way of saying it is that every now and then, even a blind pig finds an acorn in the mud hole, so the pig keeps on rooting around in the mud. So, unless we lose all of our games forever, we will continue to feel pain in our anticipation of happiness."
So there you have it. Now we're being compared to blind pigs. I want to tell the shrink that he's mixing his adages -- blind squirrels are the ones who look for acorns, not blind pigs, but I get the point.
Then there's this, an email from another Coug pal in Bend, Ore., Abe Lodwick's hometown. If you follow the Cougs, you know Lodwick as the senior lefty who's always been an OK player at best.
As my Coug pal explains: "Lodwick fits the classic profile of a Cougar student-athlete. Great kid, good grades, proud to be a Coug, will likely do well in his chosen career. But his actual athletic contribution was underwhelming. We always seem to get the "not much talent but tries really hard" kids.
"Like you, I am sick of always coming up short in these games. Wouldn't it be nice to actually have some guys with some legitimate talent who can step on some necks and win these kinds of games?"
God yes.
The hell of it is, we might get another shot at the Huskies next week. If we beat Oregon State in the first round of the Pac-12 tournament, we'll likely play the Dawgs in the quarterfinals.
Acorns anyone?
Jim Moore also writes for his website, www.jimmoorethego2guy.com. You can reach him at jimmoorethego2guy.com and follow him on Twitter @cougsgo.
Saturday, February 25, 2012 @ 3:37pm
Jeff Tuel, Connor Halliday will compete for starting job
Mike Leach's first spring camp as Washington State's head coach will include a quarterback competition.
Leach told "The Kevin Calabro Show" that incumbent starter Jeff Tuel and redshirt sophomore Connor Halliday will be given equal opportunity to win the starting job.
"We'll even their reps up and let them go head-to-head every day during the spring. It's about as simple as that," Leach said. "So we're looking forward to spring, and those guys can go duel it out and we'll have them kinda flip back and fourth."
 Jeff Tuel |
Tuel missed four games after breaking his clavicle during his only series in the season opener. Two games after returning, he suffered an acute-compartment-syndrome injury in his calf, which needed to be drained of blood. Tuel played in three games, only finishing one of them.
Halliday was hospitalized with a lacerated liver he suffered in a Nov. 19 loss to Utah. A week earlier, Halliday broke Washington State and Pac-12 records for a freshman quarterback when he threw for 494 yards in a win over Arizona State. He had four touchdowns and no interceptions in that game, which marked the first significant playing time of his collegiate career.
Leach offered no update on either player's health.
The Cougars' 2012 recruiting class included one quarterback, Austin Apodaca of Longmont, Colo.
"Real accurate," Leach said of Apodaca. "[His father is] a football coach, and [he's] already experienced checking at the line of scrimmage. So excited about the opportunity to have him on board."
You might also like ...
Mike Leach targets OL in first WSU recruiting class
Thursday, February 2, 2012 @ 12:19pm
Don't sweat the recruiting rankings, they're idiotic
It's no secret that I hate recruiting.
Well, I don't hate recruiting, per se, I hate the fan-created business of recruiting.
You see, sites like Scout.com and Rivals.com and ESPN's recruiting site aren't created for coaches. They are created so fans have something to do while football is not being played.
Coaches don't care what "star rating" a player gets. Coaches don't consult some "scout" or "recruiting analyst" from these sites before asking a player to accept a scholarship.
If anyone sees that WSU is ranked 12th in the Pac-12 in recruiting rankings and gets worried, ask yourselves these questions:
1. Who is more knowledgeable about football, Mike Leach or some dude from a website who's likely never coached football at the college level, or any level at all?
2. Who is more successful in winning football games, Mike Leach or some dude from a website who's likely never coached football at the college level, or any level at all?
Those aren't tough questions, by the way.
Mike Leach went out and signed a kid named Brett Bartolone. According to Scout.com and Rivals.com, he's a "2-Star" player. That means, in their minds, he may make an impact as a senior, if he gets any playing time at all at the major college level. With a "2-Star" rating, they think he's more suited for FCS-level ball. More likely though, he was never actually "evaluated" at all. You see, there are just too many kids to evaluate and guys like Bartolone don't always get the attention. Mike Leach did evaluate him and knows that Bartolone will fit his system -- an FBS, major conference program. He believes that the kid has the tools to succeed at this level. So, who do you believe? Let's revisit this topic four years from now and see if Brett has made a contribution.
See what I'm getting at here? Recruiting rankings and sites are entertainment. Don't take it like it really means anything. If you're in the Top 10 in the nation, it means you got a lot of really, really, really impressive kids. After that, it starts to get murky. It means you got one or two really, really, really impressive kids.
After the top 30 or so, it gets really murky. In fact, there's not a lot of difference between a team like Arizona State, which was 37th in the Rivals.com rankings, and WSU, which was not in the top 50. ASU signed a total of 23 players, three of whom were "4-Star" players and 15 who were "3-Stars." The Cougs signed 26 total with two "4-Stars" and 14 "3-Stars." Not a major difference there. Yet, if you go by the rankings, it seemed that ASU pretty much clobbered WSU in the recruiting game.
Another factor is that due to the sheer number of kids, the "recruiting analysts" don't really get close to evaluating the junior college players. This season, Leach had to go for several JC guys to fill some holes and every one was designated a "2-star" player. Because the sites don't have the time to evaluate these guys they are given two stars, despite the fact that when coming out of high school, many of them were rated higher and only improved in size and skill while in the JC ranks.
Offensive Line recruit Sam Jones is a great example. He's a "2-Star" now, but coming out of high school he was a "4-Star" and was one of the elite linemen in the nation. Did he get worse in his years at Pima JC? Did he get smaller? Slower? Not likely. Niu Sale was a "3-Star" coming out of high school and so was Mike Bowlin (he was also considered the No. 3 kicker in the NATION), but now they are also both "2-stars."
I think you get it. This isn't an exact science. It's not even a "kinda science." I won't even go in to the number of "2-Stars" who went on to be NFL players (Pro Bowler Marcus Trufant, for example) or the number of "5-Star" kids who never did anything (anyone remember Randy Estes?).
Finally, let's not forget that Mike Leach had very little time to build this class. Recruiting is about relationships and Leach had to make up for a lot of lost time very quickly. Kids like Cedric Dozier out of Lakes have been getting love and affection from schools like Cal and UW for YEARS. Leach had to forge relationships in WEEKS. It's hard to do. For you huskies out there who don't believe me, go back to '09. When Sarkisian was hired, he had two months to put together his class. Where did it finish? According to Scout.com, it was 66th in the nation. Mike Leach's first class is 60th. That's not a dig, that's just reality.
The point, of course, is that recruiting rankings are fine and dandy for those hard up for entertainment, but they are rarely an accurate predictor of future success.
I'll leave it with this final bit of proof:
In 2004, WSU had the No. 21 recruiting class in the nation. UW had the No. 22 class in the nation. Great classes for both schools. Lots of guys with lots of stars by their names.
Four years later, when those incredible, can't miss, star-laden players should've been juniors and seniors, the two teams finished their seasons in "The Crapple Cup." UW was 0-10 and the Cougs were 1-9. (Just a reminder, the Cougs won and the UW became the only team in conference history to go winless throughout a season.)
Don't sweat the rankings, Cougar Faithful, trust in Mike Leach.
Go Cougs!
Thursday, February 2, 2012 @ 9:55am
Mike Leach targets OL in first WSU recruiting class
It would be natural to assume that Mike Leach's spread offense would lead the coach to make quarterbacks and receivers his top priority in recruiting.
His first recruiting class at Washington State, which was completed Wednesday with the addition of 28 players, suggests otherwise.
Leach and the Cougars received letters of intent from seven offensive linemen, a total that makes up a quarter of their total signees. That wasn't by accident.
"This is a little-know fact -- and part of it is because our quarterbacks have gotten tremendous stats over the years, we've got two marquee receivers in the NFL with Wes Welker and Michael Crabtree -- but the single position we have the most guys in the NFL is offensive line. It's probably the position I cherish the most because I coached offensive line for 10 years," Leach told "The Kevin Calabro Show" on Wednesday.
"Offensive line and defensive line is why they have football to begin with, so you can see huge people collide with others of various shapes and sizes."
According to ESPN.com, three of Texas Tech's 13 NFL players are offensive linemen. The most notable is San Diego's Louis Vasquez, a guard who has started in each of his three NFL seasons.
Leach said offensive and defensive line were top priorities, as was establishing a presence in southern California and the Hawaiian and Samoan islands. Washington State will lose at least two starters to graduation. A third, starting right tackle Wade Jacobson, is applying for a medical redshirt.
The offensive linemen who signed with Washington State on Wednesday include guards Denzel Dotson (Glendale, Ariz.), Alex Mitchell (Portland, Ore.) and Niu Sale (Wilmington, Calif.) and tackles Barrie Salmonson (Nooksack Valley HS), Samuel Flor (O'Dea HS), Pierson Villarrubia (Mandeville, La.) and Eduardo Middleton (Oceanside, Calif.).
The highest rated of that bunch are Mitchell and Dotson. Mitchell is ranked by Rivals.com as the 16th-best guard prospect in the country. The same site ranks Dotson 46th.
Here's video that includes Mitchell doing some pass-blocking drills:
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 @ 6:49am
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.
Recent Posts
Bert Klasey
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.
