HCA: Theo Lawson’s five incoming commits to watch - plus one more

With the early signing period just a day away, Theo Lawson of the Spokesman Review gives five incoming commitments that you should keep an eye on and in the season of giving, I add one more to his list. In just the second year of the newly installed early signing period, the Cougars are projected to get upwards of 20 letters of intent on Wednesday.

While the Cougars may not have all the highest rated recruits coming in, the new class will have tons of talent at much needed positions.

To start off his list, Theo has Gunner Cruz (quarterback, Casteel High) and has this to say about him -”Cruz has a big arm, quick feet and if he can demonstrate a decent understanding of Leach’s playbook early – granted, that’s a considerable “if” – he might put himself in the mix.”

Adding an arm like Cruz to this already loaded roster of quarterbacks will very fun to watch come spring time. Cruz joins freshman Cammon Cooper, redshirt freshman Connor Neville, and redshirt juniors Trey Tinsley and Anthony Gordon all of which have a fair shot at being the next signal caller for the Cougs.

Next is Travion Brown who is a 6’3”, 215 pound linebacker that has the skill and size to play in the middle and the speed to play on the outside as a rush backer. The Cougs have the depth to redshirt him as he joins Jahad Woods, Justus Rogers, Dominick Silvels, Dillon Sherman, and Willie Taylor who all had significant playing time this year. Coming in as just Leach’s second four-star recruit at Washington State, Brown could be a guy to keep an eye on to help replace Peyton Pelluer in the middle if he doesn’t redshirt.

Jamir Thomas is next on his list. The running back out of Washington High School in Ohio could be the third head in the three headed monster of running backs that the Cougs have used in the past. WIth Max Borghi and James Williams being the remaining backs with significant playing time, we could see Thomas make his mark early. Before going down with an injury this past season, he had over 2,000 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns on the year. He is also a legitimate linebacker that could hop in if needed if being in the backfield somehow doesn’t work for him.

The fourth man on Theo’s list is Pomona High School’s Billy Pospisil. Joining an already extremely talented receiving group, Pospisil will fit right in at the slot and be able to take over for the Kyle Sweet/Robert Lewis combo. At 5’11” and 190 pounds, He checks in as the fourth shortest receiver on the team. Before sustaining an injury this past year that sidelined him for the rest of the season, he had 551 yards in seven games according to MaxPreps.com

To finish off the list, Theo has cornerback Derrick Langford. Coming in from City College of San Francisco, Langford has some experience and height that the Cougars did not have this year. at 6’3” he will be the second tallest defensive back the Cougars have and is just one inch shorter than freshman nickel back Patrick Nunn.

To add to Theo’s list, I give you a sixth man to watch for. Daniel Isom out of Iowa Western Community College and Northern Illinois (2016). Before going the Juco route and spending two years at IWCC, Isom had 41 tackles and six pass breakups as a true freshman for the Huskies. He was then injured in 2017 and had 22 tackles and two interceptions this past year. The 5’10” 180 pound corner should see playing time right away with the struggles the Cougs had in the secondary and with the loss of Darien Molton and Sean Harper Jr.

Who do you look forward to seeing the most out of this years early signing period class?

*****

Football:

Five to watch: Keep an eye on these Washington State football commits as NCAA’s early signing period approaches | The Spokesman-Review
WSU has 20 players orally committed right now according 247Sports, and the Cougars are expected to sign another large batch in about a week’s time.

WSU preps for Alamo Bowl | krem.com
The Cougs are one week away from heading to San Antonio to take on Iowa State.

Video: Washington State coach Mike Leach post practice Dec. 17 - The Spokesman-Review - Dec. 17, 2018
Serving the Inland Northwest since 1883. Spokesman.com provides breaking and in-depth coverage of Spokane area news, sports and community.

Video: Washington State safety Jalen Thompson post practice Dec. 17 - The Spokesman-Review - Dec. 17, 2018
Serving the Inland Northwest since 1883. Spokesman.com provides breaking and in-depth coverage of Spokane area news, sports and community.

Basketball:

With school-record 39 free throws, Washington State outlasts Rider 94-80 to stay unbeaten at home | The Spokesman-Review
Monday’s game against Rider, played in front of a sparse home crowd that numbered just 1,673 – but looked much smaller than that – could’ve been another bump in WSU’s road. Instead, the Cougars used it as a pick-me-up, beating the Broncs 94-80 to preserve their unbeaten record at Beasley Coliseum.

Video: Washington State players Marvin Cannon, CJ Elleby and Robert Franks post Rider - The Spokesman-Review - Dec. 17, 2018
Serving the Inland Northwest since 1883. Spokesman.com provides breaking and in-depth coverage of Spokane area news, sports and community.

Video: Washington State coach Ernie Kent post Rider - The Spokesman-Review - Dec. 17, 2018
Serving the Inland Northwest since 1883. Spokesman.com provides breaking and in-depth coverage of Spokane area news, sports and community.

Washington State hangs on late to beat Rider 94-80. - Washington State University Athletics
Sophomore Marvin Cannon had a career-high 23 points in the win.