Six Cougs land on preseason Pac-12 all-conference teams

Pac-12 media day in Los Angeles means we get the preseason poll (Cougs are tabbed to finish fourth in the North) along with the annual preseason all-conference team. This year, five Washington State Cougars were honored before the ball is snapped, highlighted by punter Oscar Draguicevich III’s pick as the First Team punter.

Linebacker Jahad Woods and offensive lineman Abraham Lucas earned second team honors while wide receiver Dezmon Patmon, receiver/kick returner Travell Harris, and running back Max Borghi were selected to the honorable mention team after having received at least four votes for the first or second team.

Oscar Draguicevich III was one of the best punters in the country last year and assuaged many of the misgivings Mike Leach and company, along with fans, had had at that position for a number of years. As a redshirt sophomore, he averaged 45.7 yards per punt, second best in the conference and topped the Pac-12 in net yards per punt at 40.9.

Woods, who will be a redshirt junior, continued his superb WSU career last year with All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention honors with 82 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss, one interception, and four forced fumbles. Lucas is likely the quickest rising star of the group, earning the second team tag heading into just his redshirt sophomore season.

Patmon, who will be a senior, led the team in receiving yards with 816 last year, including a circus catch to seal the Alamo Bowl win against the Iowa State Cyclones and WSU’s record setting 11th win. Harris, who will be a redshirt sophomore, caught 27 passes last season and was also an electric return man for the Cougs, housing a 100-yard kickoff return against the Eastern Washington Eagles, WSU’s first kick off run back for a score since Robert Taylor against Arizona State in 2016. Borghi, who will be a sophomore, gained 740 yards from scrimmage and tied for fifth in Pac-12 with 12 total touchdowns, also tying WSU single-season record for total touchdowns by a freshman.