WSU adds Nusi Malani to 2022 recruiting class

The Washington State Cougars made a big addition both literally and figuratively to their 2022 recruiting class when they announced the signing of defensive lineman Nusi Malani, a transfer from Virginia, on Wednesday.

Malani — who is 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds — comes to WSU with three years of eligibility and a redshirt remaining, but there surely is no plan for him to spend a year developing: Originally a member of the 2020 recruiting class, he played immediately for the Cavaliers as a true freshman in the Covid-disrupted season and played in eight games this past season.

WSU recruited Malani heavily out of Junipero Serra High School in San Bruno, California, where he was a mid-three star recruit. He took an official visit to Pullman but eventually signed with the Hoos over the Cougs, Arizona State, Nebraska, and Arizona. It’s probably notable that WSU’s new running backs coach, Mark Atuaia, spent the last six years on Bronco Mendenhall’s staff in Charlottesville.

Malani’s stats at Virginia won’t blow you away — just six career tackles in 15 games — but interior defensive linemen don’t typically rack up a bunch of stats. It’s also important to remember that he’s still young with developing to do. Size-wise, though, he seems to fit the mold of what head coach Jake Dickert looks for: As a former defensive end who has added 25 pounds since high school, he should be able to be disruptive from the inside and not simply a space eater.

Here’s a little bit of video of him at Virginia from WSU:

Malani, who will enroll in the spring semester and participate in spring practices, is the first defensive line recruit in the 2022 class and the 12th member overall. He’s the second transfer in the class, joining Nevada linebacker Daiyan Henley.

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