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The Washington State Cougars finished with what can probably be called the best class of the Mike Leach era. There were a few commits who changed gears, however, and went to other programs. Let’s take a look at where these guys that got us excited and then (sort of) broke our hearts.
Erick Hallet: A three-star cornerback out of Texas who committed to the Cougars early in the recruiting cycle. He was recruited by since departed defensive coordinator Alex Grinch and de-committed a couple weeks before signing day. Hallet signed with Pitt yesterday after considering the Panthers and Vanderbilt.
Nick Lewis: A huge 6-foot-9 348 pound lineman out of Jacksonville who committed to WSU back in October. He never seemed fully locked in and took subsequent visits to Cincinnati and Kentucky. He de-committed a couple weeks ago and signed with Kentucky yesterday.
Victory Terry: The three-star linebacker from Los Angeles was committed for a long time before dropping off the radar amid reports of qualification issues. He still hasn’t signed with anyone.
Tyree Wilson: Wilson committed early to the Cougs — all the way back in March 2017. Likely a situation where he committed to the first school to show him some love, Wilson decommitted just a few months later. His stock skyrocketed (247sports ended up rating him as a four-star recruit, and he finished with a nearly four-star rating in 247’s composite metric) and he signed with Texas A&M yesterday.
Alec Anderson: The three-star offensive lineman committed to WSU back in July. The Southern California product from Rancho Cucamonga flipped to UCLA about a week after Chip Kelly was hired. But we got Blake McDonald, and both are rated about the same, so ... fair trade?
Val Martin: Looking for another big defensive lineman, the Cougars recruited this junior college product hard. The 6-foot-2 305 pounder enrolled at North Carolina State yesterday after visiting over the weekend.
Matthew Tago: The Cougars were hoping to sign this four star athlete who de-committed to UCLA. He unfortunately signed with Oregon State.
Kahlef Hailassie: The Elk Grove cornerback with great size was thought to be deciding between WSU and FAU ended up signing with Oregon (?).
We also found out the final destination for Isaiah Johnson-Mack as the wide receiver transferred to Duquesne.
Football
Analysis | The early signing period is great for programs like WSU’s, but is it good for recruits too? | The Seattle Times
WSU football coach Mike Leach has decided that he likes the early signing period, and it worked out great for the Cougs. But as this year showed, recruits need to be careful about how they make their college decisions
National Signing Day live thread: Washington State football rounds out 2018 recruiting class | The Spokesman-Review
Mike Leach and his staff knocked out a bulk of their recruiting in December during the NCAA’s new early signing period, inking 20 high school and junior college prospects – a handful of whom are already on campus in Pullman.
Washington State offensive line coach Clay McGuire accepts position at Texas Tech | The Spokesman-Review
McGuire has spent the last six years coaching the offensive line at WSU and has worked under Cougars Mike Leach for the last 10 years, spending four seasons as the Red Raiders’ running backs coach.
WSU’s 2018 signing class: 4-star recruits, NFL bloodlines and an Australian rugby player. Plus more to come?
Analysis: What we learned from WSU’s Signing Day show with QB Camm Cooper, LB coach Ken Wilson and DC Tracy Claeys
It's official: Mike Leach says the 2018 crop his best class ever at Washington State on National Football Signing Day 2018
D-Line the most improved position, says head man
Washington State football recruiting class roundtable with 4 experts: How does Mike Leach's class compare to the Pac-12 on National Signing Day 2018
The Coug that fans will be talking about most and the big picture
Soccer
Soccer Signs Six More For 2018 - Washington State University