WSU spring football: Sizing up the Cougars' spring roster release

The Washington State Cougars, in addition to announcing their spring football schedule, released an updated roster Monday afternoon, and while there were no surprises personnel-wise, several players moved the scales in a big way since last fall.

Luke Falk, Andre Dillard, Tavares Martin Jr. and James Williams made huge gains on offense while Greg Hoyd III, Logan Tago, Daniel Ekuale and Charleston White led the way on defense. Let's take a position-by-position look at the updated weight changes heading into spring.

QUARTERBACK
NO.	NAME	POS	YR	HT	WT	+/-
4	FALK, Luke	QB	JR*	6-4	214	+9
6	BENDER, Peyton	QB	SO*	6-0	190	+3
3	HILINSKI, Tyler	QB	FR*	6-3	191	+4
—	ROGERS, Justus	QB/ATH	FR	6-2	218	-2
13	JORGENSON, Christian	QB	FR*	6-2	195	+16

Falk, entering his redshirt junior season, added nine pounds to his frame and now checks in at 214 pounds. While durable for the majority of the season, Falk was roughed up a bit late in the year, so adding some weight with another summer to pack on a few more is a very positive sign.

Incoming players: Bryce Missey (6-0/190)

RUNNING BACK
NO.	NAME	POS	YR	HT	WT	+/-
23	WICKS, Gerard	RB	JR*	6-0	226	+2
25	MORROW, Jamal	RB	JR*	5-9	191	+1
24	HARRINGTON, Keith	RB	SO*	5-8	191	+11
32	WILLIAMS, James	RB	FR*	5-11	195	+15
48	LEE, Alijah	RB	SO*	5-6	193	+16
27	PAGE, Killian	RB	FR*	5-8	187	+2
34	TAULELEI, Madigan	RB	FR*	6-0	207	+2

Highly regarded running back James Williams, who redshirted last season after suffering an ACL tear during his senior year of high school, turned heads in Thursday Night Football last fall, and it appears he's turning heads in the weight room, as well. Williams added 15 pounds since the fall and is now listed as a stout 5-foot-11, 195-pounds.

While Gerard Wicks and Jamal Morrow report at their usual 226 and 191, respectively, Keith Harrington, the third member of Earth, Wind and Fire, beefed up in a big way. The redshirt sophomore now weighs a solid 191 pounds, up 11 pounds from last fall.

Incoming players: Romello Harris (5-10/175)

WIDE RECEIVER
NO.	NAME	POS	YR	HT	WT	+/-
21	CRACRAFT, River	WR	SR	6-0	203	+3
9	MARKS, Gabe	WR	SR*	6-0	188	-2
15	LEWIS, Robert	WR	JR*	5-9	162	-8
12	MARTIN JR., Tavares	WR	SO	6-1	182	+17
1	PRIESTER, Kyrin	WR	JR	6-1	194	+4
88	DIMRY, C.J.	WR	SR*	6-5	202	+2
—	JOHNSON, Isaiah	WR	FR	6-3	214	+3
83	SWEET, Kyle	WR	SO	6-0	190	+4
38	FOSSUM, Kaleb	WR	SO	5-10	186	-1
85	THOMPSON, John	WR	SR	5-8	192	-2
89	BEGG, Nick	TE	SO*	6-5	246	+9
33	WILSON, Kainoa	WR	FR*	5-11	167	+7

Whoa. Tavares Martin Jr., everyone. The sophomore, who arrived at Washington State at just 165 pounds, made a huge improvement on the scales, checking in at 182 pounds this spring, up a total of 17 pounds from last fall. That size combined with that speed is a very fun thing.

The rest of the crew, including Gabe Marks, River Cracraft and Ky Priester, made modest gains, if any, though Robert Lewis, after gaining a few pounds last year, dropped back down to 162. An interesting story line I'm following this spring is to see how Leach works in redshirt sophomore tight end Nick Begg, who bulked up to 246 pounds from last fall.

C.J. Dimry, hopefully healthy after an injury-riddled debut campaign last year, is another receiver to keep an eye on at 6-foot-5, 202-pounds. Isaiah Johnson arguably the prize of the Cougars' 2016 recruiting class, looks to already have the size to contribute right away at 6-foot-3, 214-pounds.

Incoming players: Renard Bell (5-10/165), Dezmon Patmon (6-4/202), Grant Porter (6-2/185)

OFFENSIVE LINE
NO.	NAME	POS	YR	HT	WT	+/-
79	BIGGE-DUREN, Cedric	OL	FR*	6-6	320	+12
60	DILLARD, Andre	OL	SO*	6-5	290	+20
78	FREEMAN, Carlos	OL	JR*	6-3	308	+5
53	HANCOCK, Caleb	OL	JR*	6-5	294	+19
72	HOPKINS, Mack	OL	SO*	6-5	309	+7
61	MADISON, Cole	OL	JR*	6-5	305	+2
73	MIDDLETON, Eduardo	OL	SR*	6-5	323	+13
57	NORVELL, Drew	OL	FR*	6-4	293	+10
76	O'CONNELL, Cody	OL	JR*	6-8	351	+5
70	OSUR-MYERS, Noah	OL	FR*	6-4	309	+11
77	PAZ, Chris	OL	FR*	6-4	316	+11
68	PERROTT, Davis	OL	FR*	6-4	257	-13
65	SAKARIA, Amosa	OL	FR*	6-2	314	+6
75	SALMONSON, B.J.	OL	JR*	6-4	281	-14
58	SORENSON, Riley	OL	SR	6-4	327	+8

Alright, let's get to the beef. A little over two years ago, Andre Dillard signed with the Cougars as a 245-pound left tackle. Today, he enters his redshirt sophomore season at 290-pounds, up 20 from last fall and 45 over the last two years. Bravo, Jason Lascalzo. Dillard was probably somewhere in between that when he filled in last fall, but he's only going to keep growing, and that's a positive sign for Falk's blindside.

Eduardo Middleton (+13), Cedric Bigge-Duren (+12) and Noah Osur-Myers (+11) also made double-digit gains while Riley Sorenson (+8) also added some weight. There were a few big movers among the walk-on lineman, including redshirt junior Caleb Hancock, who jumped up 19-pounds, and Drew Norvell tipping the scales 10-pounds heavier. Redshirt freshman Davis Perrott and redshirt junior B.J. Salmonson dropped double-digits at 13- and 14-pounds, respectively.

In total, this group of 15 linemen average 306.5 pounds, up an average of five pounds from last fall. There's plenty of beef on the way, as well.

Incoming players: Nillson Gaisoa (6-5/295), Christian Haangana (6-5/365), Kevin King (6-4/301), Frederick Mauigoa (6-4/295), Liam Ryan (6-6/275), Josh Watson (6-5/265)

DEFENSIVE LINE
NO.	NAME	POS	YR	HT	WT	+/-
92	BARBER, Robert	NT	SR*	6-3	309	+2
90	EKUALE, Daniel	DL	JR*	6-3	296	+8
96	FEHOKO, T.J.	DE	FR*	6-1	272	-1
52	FERNANDEZ, Kingston	DE	SO*	6-2	260	+4
93	LAIRD, Jacob	DL	SO*	6-0	242	-10
50	MATA'AFA, Hercules	DE	SO*	6-2	245	+3
59	MATTOX, Hunter	DL	FR*	6-3	270	+11
—	McBROOM, Garrett	DL	JR*	6-3	276	+8
98	MITCHELL, Jeremiah	DE	SR*	6-4	270	+14
95	TAPA, Ngalu	DL	SO*	6-2	314	—

The defensive line is a group to pay close attention to this spring, given the departures of Destiny Vaeao and Darryl Paulo. Robert Barber and Daniel Ekaule are expected to anchor the group, and each player tips the scales at just about or above 300 pounds entering the spring. Backup nose tackle Ngalu Tapa, who the Cougars may have to rely heavily on this fall, remains at 314-pounds while Hercules Mata'afa and Kingston Fernandez both check in just above their fall weights.

The biggest mover of the group is defensive end Jeremiah Mitchell, who arrived as a four-star out of Riverside C.C. a year ago, but struggled to find snaps last season. He's bulked up to 270 since last fall, and should push for playing time this spring. Fellow junior college transfer Garrett McBroom has added eight pounds since his arrival in January.

Hunter Mattox will also push for snaps this year after a redshirt season. He's up to 270, a gain of 11-pounds from last fall, while T.J. Fehoko, coming off an Achilles tear, dropped one pound from last weigh-in. Fehoko is expected to be ready come fall, though his spring availability is still unknown.

Incoming players: Lyric Bartley (6-3/245), Danny Bender (6-4/240)

LINEBACKERS
NO.	NAME	POS	YR	HT	WT	+/-
47	PELLUER, Peyton	LB	JR*	6-0	229	+2
51	LUVU, Frankie	LB	JR	6-3	239	+2
42	HOYD III, Greg	LB	SO*	6-1	230	+9
29	HENRY, Parker	LB	SR*	5-11	203	-4
33	HANSER, Dylan	LB	JR	6-4	230	—
54	DeRIDER, Nate	LB	JR*	6-1	222	-2
49	BROCK, Tristan	LB	FR*	6-0	250	+10
57	GRIFFIN, Drew	LB	SO*	5-11	214	+3
44	LENIU, Chandler	LB	SO*	6-0	260	-1
53	OGUAYO, Nnamdi	OLB	FR*	6-3	218	+8
43	PORTER, Aaron	LB	SR*	6-3	228	-14
45	TAGO, Logan	LB	SO	6-3	240	+12
56	COMFORT, Taylor	LB	SO*	6-0	248	+10
20	TAYLOR, Paris	LB	SR*	6-3	215	-4

Among the usual suspects, Peyton Pelluer maintained his 229-pound frame and Frankie Luvu, Dylan Hanser, Paris Taylor and Parker Henry remained generally the same size. A few big movers, though: Aaron Porter, Logan Tago, Greg Hoyd III and Nnamdi Oguayo.

Porter dropped 14 pounds and is now a more agile 228 entering his senior season in which the former four-star UCLA linebacker will be asked to be a regular contributor. Logan Tago, however, hit the weights hard, adding 12-pounds. I'm predicting a big year for Tago — he's a special athlete at a now-240-pounds. As did Greg Hoyd II and Nnamdi Oguayo, whom added 9- and 8-pounds, respectively.

Chandler Leniu is still at 260, which begs the question whether he'll make a move to the defensive line with the group needing some depth heading into the year. Leniu, a former four-star, has the athleticism to make the move.

There's a stacked group of linebackers entering the fold this fall, too, with junior college transfers Suli Tamaivena (and possibly his twin brother, Siti) and Chima Onyeuwku leading the way. The linebacking corps is in good hands.

Incoming players: Derek Moore (6-2/211), Chima Onyeukwu (6-3/215), Suliasi Tamaivena (6-2/225), Mason Vinyard (6-5/215), Jahad Woods (5-11/215)

CORNERBACKS
NO.	NAME	POS	YR	HT	WT	+/-
16	BROUGHTON, Treshon	CB	SR	6-0	174	+4
22	MOLTON, Darrien	CB	SO	5-10	173	+3
10	PARKER, Kirkland	CB	JR*	6-1	182	+7
27	PIPPINS, Marcellus	CB	JR	5-10	170	—
39	SINGLETON, Deion	CB	FR*	6-2	184	-6
38	SINCHAK, Dakota	DB	JR*	5-9	178	-2
4	WHITE, Charleston	CB	JR*	6-0	195	+10
—	THOMPSON, Jalen	DB	FR	6-0	176	+6

It was a resurgent year for the Cougars' cornerbacks in year one under Alex Grinch, led by Marcellus Pippins, who checks in once again at 170-pounds. Charleston White was the big mover among cornerbacks, adding 10 pounds from a season ago and now weighs 195. He's the biggest cornerback of the group, and will push sophomore Darrien Molton, who added three pounds.

Deion Singleton, after a grayshirt and redshirt year, is listed at 184, down six pounds from last fall and fully expected to stick at cornerback after some toying around at safety in fall camp. Jalen Thompson is a name to watch as a true freshman, combing size and speed at the cornerback spot. He's listed at 6-foot, 176-pounds in his debut season.

Incoming players: D'jimon Jones (5-11/175), Marcus Strong (5-11/170)

SAFETIES
NO.	NAME	POS	YR	HT	WT	+/-
18	LUANI, Shalom	S	SR	6-0	198	-3
35	DALE, Hunter	S	SO	5-10	203	+1
31	DOTSON, Isaac	S	JR*	6-1	214	-1
5	GREEN, Calvin	S	JR	5-10	178	+3
2	HAMEED, Suli	S	SO*	5-10	185	-5
23	HECKER, Andrew	S	FR*	6-0	197	+17
28	LEMORA, Darius	S	JR*	6-0	193	-3
18	LUANI, Shalom	S	SR	6-0	198	-3
6	POWELL, Kameron	S	FR*	6-0	194	-8
41	ROACH, Willie	DB	SR*	6-1	207	+11
19	TEGLOVIC, Colton	S	SR*	6-0	188	-7

The safety spot opposite star safety Shalom Luani (-3) is wide open entering the spring slate, though sophomore Hunter Dale (+1) could be poised to take advantage this spring after forcing his way onto the field as a true freshman.

Suli Hameed, who missed last season with knee and shoulder injuries, is expected to be ready by fall, though it's unclear whether he'll be a full-go this spring. The redshirt sophomore checks in at 185-pounds. Isaac Dotson (-1), Darius Lemora (-3) and Kameron Powell (-8) will also be in the mix, in addition to junior college transfer Robert Taylor.

Incoming players: Robert Taylor (5-11/180), Skyler Thomas (5-11/175)

SPECIALISTS
NO.	NAME	POS	YR	HT	WT	+/-
48	ABRAMO, Matt	K	FR*	6-2	184	-2
95	CHARME, Zach	P/K	SO	6-1	188	-4
44	CELLI, Kyle	LB/LS	SO*	6-1	230	—
94	COX, Mitchell	K	JR*	6-0	195	-7
71	GRAVELLE, Lucas	LS	JR*	6-0	224	+6
46	POWELL, Erik	K/P	JR*	6-1	195	+2
49	SCHAFER, Brett	K	FR*	5-9	169	+4

Specialists lift, too. Kickers Erik Powell and Brett Schafer added some pounds while while long snapper Lucas Gravelle put on six pounds. Fellow longsnapper Kyle Celli ramins at 230. Special forces.

Props to Jason Lascalzo and his staff, who don't get nearly the praise they deserve with WSU's turnaround.