NATIONAL LOI SIGNING DAY 2010: Washington State University open thread

Position: Tight End

Measurables: 6-6.5/235/4.79

Videos: (1)

Evaluation Links/Rankings:
- Rivals: None (3*)
- Scout: #9 TE (4*)
- ESPN: #34 TE (75)

LOI in? YES

Notes:
Was also offered by Cal.  Scout says, "Dunn is the best tight end prospect in the Northwest, but was on a team that didn't throw the ball that much. So he became a stellar blocker as a senior." He could potentially shift inside to the line.

Position: Offensive Tackle

Measurables: 6-6/270

Videos: N/A

Evaluation Links/Rankings:
- Rivals: #70 OT (3*)
- Scout: #54 OT (3*)
- ESPN: Not evaluated

LOI in? YES

Notes:
Good size with room to grow.  With the guys returning and a few JC's already on campus, he should get a year to bulk up before being thrown into the mix.

Position: Tight End

Measurables: 6-7/245

Videos: None free

Evaluation Links/Rankings:
- Rivals: No Ranking (2*)
- Scout: #37 TE (3*)
- ESPN: #43 TE (75)

LOI in?  YES

Notes:
Another Spokane tight end who could potentially move inside.  Reports suggest that he may not have the speed to play tight end in college.  Look for him to move over to the defensive line in the future.

Position: Cornerback

Measurables: 6-0/ 185/ 4.62

Videos: (1) (2) (3)

Evaluation Links/Rankings:
- Rivals: None, 3*
- Scout: #106 CB (3*)
- ESPN: Not evaluated.

LOI in? YES

Notes:

Matt is fundamentally sound and has good footwork.   He could also switch to a safety position as the Cougs have three other CB commits in this class.  Matt is the son of former Cougar Randal Simmons.

Position: Cornerback

Measurables:5-10/ 175/ 4.68

Videos: (1)

LOI in? YES

Notes: A good first step and appears to be a solid tackler, which is a huge bonus at the corner position.  Chose WSU over an offer from Arizona State.

Position: Quarterback

Measurables: 6-5/185

Videos: (1) (2) (3)

Rankings:
- Rivals: #37 QB (3*)
- Scout: #25 QB (3*)
- ESPN: #168 QB (67, 1*)

LOI in? YES

Notes:
We have a couple nice pieces on Connor here and here.

Position: Cornerback/Running Back

Measurables: 6-0/192/4.49

Videos: None.

Rankings:
- Rivals: ATH (2*)
- Scout: #173 CB (2*)
- ESPN: Not evaluated.

LOI in? YES

Notes:  Could be a running back or cornerback at the next level.  Our guess and hope would be to put him on the defensive side, where we have been sorely lacking speed the last few years.  Chose WSU over an offer from Colorado.

Position: Wide Receiver

Measurables: 5-9/165/4.40

Videos: (1) (2) 

Rankings:
- Rivals: Not ranked (3*)
- Scout: #163 WR (2*)
- ESPN: #160 WR (74, 2*)

LOI in? YES

Notes:
Hooray speed!  Undersized for the wideout position, but if a guy can catch the ball and is athletic sometimes it can still work (see James Rodgers, OSU).  With that speed there is still the possibility who switches over to the other side of the ball.

Position: Safety

Measurables: 6-1.5/180/4.58

Videos: (1) (2 [subscription only]) (3)

Rankings:
- Rivals: #45 S (3*)
- Scout: #102 S (3*)
- ESPN: #63 S (77)

LOI in? YES

Notes:
Why yes, we do need help in the defensive backfield. Enter the Bu-CANNON (already nicknamed!), who is quick to the ball, changes direction on a dime and projects well as a strong safety.

Position: Safety

Measurables: 6-0.5/200

Videos: [1]

Rankings:
- Rivals: unrated ATH (3*)
- Scout: #110 S (2*)
- ESPN: #100 S (75)

LOI in? YES

Notes:

A two-way player who may solve the pesky issue of what happens if (when?) all our quarterbacks get injured. Still, he's far more likely to appear at defensive back than quarterback. Possibly even a running back, given the difficulties people had tackling him at the high school level. Duckett will be one of the more interesting athletes to watch develop out of this class.

Position: Wide receiver

Measurables: 6-1/180

Videos: (1) (2)

Rankings:
- Rivals: #95 WR (3*)
- Scout: #89 WR (3*)
- ESPN: #102 WR (77)

LOI in? YES

Ratliff's CougCenter.com "Coug Commit" Feature

Notes:

Hailing from marching band powerhouse Etiwanda (CA) (not making that up), Ratliff is the rare guy the recruiting services actually agree upon. He's just a solid wideout, with the ability to gain some serious YAC in addition to his good hands.

Position: Defensive Back

Measurables:5-10/175/4.55

Videos: (1) (2)

Rankings:
- Rivals: unranked (2*)
- Scout: #92 CB (3*)
- ESPN: #148 S (73, 2*)

LOI in? YES

Clark's CougCenter.com "Coug Commit" Feature

Notes:

Good corner/safety prospect, but as you may be able to guess from his measurables, Paul Wulff will have him hitting the weight room ASAP. Once he gets there, his speed and agility should prove to be a boost to the Cougar pass defense. 

Position: Wide receiver

Measurables: 6-0/190/4.45

Videos: (1)

Rankings:
- Rivals: unranked (3*)
- Scout: #126 WR (3*)
- ESPN: #140 WR (75)

LOI in? YES

Jiles' CougCenter.com "Coug Commit" Feature

Notes:

Tracy Clark's teammate at Pittsburgh (CA), Jiles is a crafty WR who can avoid tackles. He gets high marks from the recruiting services as a guy who can make plays from the slot, given his speed and elusiveness. More here.

Position: Wide Receiver

Measurables: 6-3/170/4.6

Videos: [1]

Rankings:
- Rivals: unranked (3*)
- Scout: #96 WR (3*)
- ESPN: not evaluated (40)

LOI in? YES

Wilson's CougCenter.com "Coug Commit" Feature

Notes:

Wulff is really trying to bolster the receiving corps, and Wilson is a tall, athletic wideout. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in leaping ability - he's a good bet to catch any jump ball thrown at him. The services seem to disagree on whether or not he's going to be an impact player. 

Position:?

Measurables: 6-1/185

Videos: [1,2]

Rankings:
- Rivals: unranked ATH (2*)
- Scout: #54 MLB (3*)
- ESPN: #233 RB (67, 1*)

LOI in? YES

Oertel's CougCenter.com Coug Commit Feature

Notes:
WHAT IS HE GOING TO PLAY? The recruiting services can't decide if he's a linebacker or running back. Either way, Oertel is a kid with a great work ethic who should be successful wherever he ends up. Also, he's from Wisconsin, and anything that allows you to be put in a category with Kyle Weaver is a plus on my list. Nuss made a good comparison to Louis Bland, a former 2-star running back who turned out to be a stud linebacker. 

Position: Running Back

Measurables: 5-8/172/4.50

Videos: (1) (2) (3)

Rankings:
- Rivals: #18 RB (3*)
- Scout: #74 RB (3*)
- ESPN: #147 RB (74, 2*)

LOI in? YES

Galvin's CougCenter.com "Coug Commit" Feature

Notes:
Comparisons to Jacquizz Rodgers aren't that far fetched. He's an undersized burner, but he's also tough and strong. He's one of the guys who could make an immediate impact next year as a returner.

Position: Offensive Line

Measurables: 6-6/275/5.00

Videos: None

Rankings:
- Rivals: N/A (2*)
- Scout: N/A (3*)
- ESPN: Not evaluated

LOI in? Yes; already enrolled

Notes:
Fills a HUGE need on the offensive line. With as many injuries as the unit has suffered, the team can never have enough bodies. But he should prove to be more than a body; he might compete for a starting spot right away.

Position: Offensive Line

Measurables: 6-6/310/5.30

Videos: None

Rankings:
- Rivals: N/A (3*)
- Scout: N/A (3*)
- ESPN: Not evaluated

Signing Time: Who Knows.

LOI in? Yes; already enrolled

Notes:
Again, another big body who should compete for a spot on the line right away. Also considered Arizona.

Position: Wide Receiver

Measurables: 6-2/205

Videos: (1) (2)

Rankings:
- Rivals: N/A (2* ATH)
- Scout: #259 WR (2*)
- EESPN: #125 WR (76, 3*)

LOI in? YES

Notes:
From ESPN: "Williams is a versatile football player that displays very solid receiving and running skills. Tall and slender athlete with good quickness and speed. Seems to be more of an offensive player and return specialist than a defensive back."

Position: Defensive End

Measurables: 6-2.5/275/4.89

Videos: (1)

Rankings:
- Rivals: N/A (2*)
- Scout: #83 DT (3*)
- ESPN: Not evaluated

LOI in? YES

Notes:
For some reason, Pole flew under the radar. He didn't really start to catch eyes until late in his senior year, but it seems the Cougs might have gotten a steal. As Scout.com said: "As he becomes more technically sound, the sky is the limit."

Position: Running Back

Measurables: 5-11/180

Videos: (1) (2)

Rankings:
- Rivals: #74 RB (3*)
- Scout: N/A (2*)
- ESPN: #234 RB (67, 1*)

LOI in? YES

Notes:
A late commit -- Tuesday, in fact. According to a Sacramento-area blog: "Butler rushed for 2,884 yards and 45 touchdowns last fall, despite sitting out the second half of five games due to blowouts." Academics are mentioned in the report. Smells like a grayshirt to us.

Position: Linebacker

Measurables: 6-2/208/4.68

Videos:

Rankings (2009):
- Rivals: #19 LB (4*)
- Scout: #5 LB (4*)
- ESPN: #29 LB (79, 3*)

LOI in? YES

Notes:
The shocker of the day. If this signing had been last year, he would have been considered the jewel of the class, a celebrated centerpiece of Wulff's rebuilding process. However, a year ago he was headed to FSU. Academic issues conspired to keep him out, and he was presumed to be heading there this year ... until Bobby Bowden was forced out. He basically fell into the Cougs' lap and Wulff closed the deal. Simply outstanding. Go to his rankings pages and read up on the scouting reports. If his academics are squared away, he more than makes up for the loss of Cleveland.

Position: Tight End

Measurables: 6-5/235/4.70

Videos: (1)

Rankings:
- Rivals: unranked (2*)
- Scout: #15 TE (3*)
- ESPN: #15 TE (79, 3*)

LOI in? No

Notes:
Reneged on September commitment to choose Miami (FL) today.

Position: OL/DL

Measurables: 6-4/240/4.69

Videos: (1) (2)

Rankings:
- Rival: N/A (3*)
- Scout: #90 DE (3*)
- ESPN: #128 OT (73, 2*)

LOI in? No

Forde's CougCenter.com "Coug Commit" Feature

Notes:
Reneged on his commitment to choose Idaho today.