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Which freshmen will make an impact for the Cougs in 2018?

A new NCAA rule will enable more true freshman to play this season

Washington State v Colorado Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Washington State brought in one of its highest rated recruiting classes this past year and a new rule will help more of the talented freshmen see the field in their first season.

On Wednesday, the NCAA announced that players can play in up to four games and still be able to redshirt, preserving an extra year of eligibility. For WSU, perhaps the most intriguing player this could apply to is quarterback Cammon Cooper.

A four star prospect, Cooper enrolled early and participated in spring practices. However, by most accounts he looked a step behind Trey Tinsley and Anthony Gordon. With the new rule, Mike Leach could give Cooper a shot when the Cougs have some easier games earlier in the schedule, without sacrificing his redshirt.

Wide receiver, a position where the Cougs rotate plenty, seems like another position where the coaching staff will take advantage of the change. Drue Jackson was a four star prospect and I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get an opportunity this season. On a another note, Rodrick Fisher impressed so much in the spring that he might force the coaches to play him in more than four games.

On defense, the secondary is another position group that sees a lot of rotation. Per 247 Sports, Halid Djibril and D’Angelo Mckenzie were the highest rated defensive backs in the recruiting class and should have a chance to get on the field. The development of freshmen all over the field will be an interesting thing to watch come fall camp.

Which freshman are you most looking forward to seeing play in 2018 and what are your thoughts on the rule change?

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Football:

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Track & Field:

Away at School: West Valley's Keefe runs Valley's fastest collegiate 1,500 at WSU | Eisenhower | yakimaherald.com
West Valley graduate Kalli Keefe, a sophomore at Washington State, became the fastest 1,500-meter runner to come out of the Valley at the NCAA Track and Field Championships.