Which Washington State signee is the most intriguing?

Another signing day has come and gone, and as Mike Leach told WSU’s own cameras, check back in two years to see how good this class really is:

As with just about every signing class, there are those that live up to the hype, those that surprise and those that flame out for one reason or another. It’s inevitable. The fact that walk-on Luke Falk beat out four-star Tyler Bruggman is perfect proof.

So we won’t know which signees will shine in the years to come, but we can dream.

That’s why I’m wondering: Who’s the most intriguing prospect from the 2018 class? Here are some candidates:

Cammon Cooper

This one’s easy. The four-star stud at quarterback with the Hanson hair is atop the list. He broke all sorts of records at his high school and fans are definitely excited. He enrolled early so we’ll get to see him during spring practices. But there are high expectations surrounding his arrival.

Max Borghi

He reneged on his offer from his home-state Colorado Buffaloes and then chose WSU over Stanford. His highlight video is impressive and he also comes in with high expectations. WSU loses Jamal Morrow and Gerard Wicks at the running back position, and given that the Cougs like to rotate three RBs, we could see Borghi sooner than later, and we’ll definitely see him during spring practices.

Rodrick Fisher

We all know Fisher’s story by now. He also enrolled early and was listed during the signing day radio show as someone who could see playing time as a true freshman (Cooper and Borghi were the others). He’s in Pullman now and will also participate in spring practices. He’s incredibly fast and dominated his high school opposition. Seriously, when he’s going up against some 5’7, 120-pound DB, it’s not pretty for the DB. That’s not to say he can’t compete in the Pac-12—I definitely think he can. I’m intrigued by his potential.

Patrick Nunn

He’s listed as an “ATH” which means there are a number of positions he could play at WSU. He shined as a wide receiver in high school but also lined up at quarterback in some wildcat formations and threw a couple TDs as well.At 6’3, 206 pounds, he could be anywhere from receiver to safety to nickel to who the heck knows what else.

Jonathan Lolohea

Not only is he already on campus, HE’S A DEFENSIVE TACKLE! Lolohea is a JC transfer so we’ll see how he adjusts to Pac-12 football, but getting someone at that position is exciting. The DT position was a huge question mark heading into last season, but the line actually did quite well. We have Hercules Mata’afa to thank for that, and since he’s gone, the Cougs need to fill a void. I’m not expecting Lolohea—or anybody for that matter—to pick up where Mata’afa left off, but I do expect him to play a large role right away.

---

Those five signees are definitely intriguing, but my Most Intriguing 2018 Signee is.....

....drumroll.....

Misiona Aiolupotea-Pei

He’s a former rugby player, which means he can probably tackle properly. He’s only been in the United States since 2015. His first two years playing football were his last two years of high school in Gold Coast, Australia. He’s definitely a project, but he’s super athletic. The Seattle Times explained how Ken Wilson found him. He’s a JC transfer, and I’m fascinated by stories like his: someone who took a non-traditional path to college football.

---

There are 18 other signees who could be just as intriguing as the six I listed. Who intrigues you the most?

Links

Football

Mike Leach: Recruiting ratings 'manipulated' by media when he battled Texas A&M
It's February and we're well past due on a good Mike Leach rant. Never fear, SEC fans. The peculiar Washington State coach came through to scratch that itch.

Basketball

The WSU women came up just short of an upset at home against the no. 16 Oregon State Beavers. The Beavs hit two free throws with one second left in overtime for the win.

And I swear this was the headline on WSU’s own athletics website last night:

I admire the honesty in the headline and the writeup, and I had a good chuckle at the “until it was not” line. I took a screen shot in case it’s edited.

Mike Daugherty opened his postgame presser by saying, “I’m not allowed to talk about the refs, so I won’t.”

Cougs Robbed as No. 16 Oregon State Escapes Pullman in Overtime - WSUCougars.com | Washington State University Athletics
WSU women come up just short of an upset.

Indoor Track

Korir Breaks WSU's 5k School Record in Seattle - WSUCougars.com | Washington State University Athletics
Vallery Korir won the women's 5,000 meter with a school record time of 16 minutes, 7.72 seconds.