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The 2017 NFL Draft came and went over the weekend with Shaolm Luani the only WSU player to hear his name called. Gabe Marks and Robert Barber signed with teams after the draft while River Cracraft, Riley Sorenson and others could still get a shot at some point too.
The ink on the 2017 draft has barely dried, but people are already looking ahead to 2018 and WSU figures to be a little more prominent a year from now.
Luke Falk headlines the WSU prospects. While the 2017 NFL Draft was considered to be a little light on quarterbacks, that isn’t the case for 2018. If early mock drafts and rankings are any indication, several QBs could go in the first round next year. Falk may even be one of them, depending on which draft analyst you believe.
SB Nation’s Dan Kadar has Falk coming off the board as the sixth quarterback selected, good for the No. 24 pick in the first round. Fox Sports’ Dieter Kurtenbach has six quarterbacks going in the first two rounds, non of which are Falk.
Dane Brugler, of CBS Sports, ranked the top players at each position. Falk shows up at No. 7 (if the just missed section is in order). Cody O’Connell checks in at the No. 6 offensive guard. Considering how fast his stock rose last season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see O’Connell jump up these lists as he gets more exposure next season.
Those are the only two WSU players to crack Brugler’s list. Cole Madison also figures to get consideration and a few other WSU players could receive interest as well.
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Football:
Gabe Marks Undrafted Hope: Just Don't Call Him A System Receiver - Gang Green Nation
As the NFL draft ticked down to its closing moments on Saturday, the frustration from one wide receiver was clear to see for all. With two simple tweets, the competitive nature that made Gabe Marks the Pac-12 career receptions receiver was evident.
Basketball:
The rebuilding begins
Sterk was no stranger to basketball overhauls, leading one at Washington State. When Sterk took over in Pullman in 2000, the Cougars were 26-60 over their previous three seasons and hadn’t made the NCAA Tournament in seven years.