Good morning, Coug fans! It’s almost our favorite time of year. This morning, your Washington State Cougars hit the field for practice for the first time since the end of the unconventional 2020 season.

We will ideally start getting some answers to all your burning questions that head coach Nick Rolovich might have hinted at yesterday during his Zoom session to discuss preseason camp developments. In case you missed it, here are some notable tidbits via Theo Lawson.

When asked about naming the starting quarterback, Rolo was vague, but if we’re going off last seasons timeline we could expect to know something within two weeks of tip off. However, when asked about Jarrett Guarantano possibly catching up to last seasons starter Jayden de Laura with knowledge of the playbook, Rolo replied “[Guarantano] probably got closer. I think tomorrow we’ll probably have a better idea.” To confuse any fans of the musical Annie, tomorrow is in fact: today.

Rolo was also asked about Josh Watson leaving, and who would take over at left guard. Rolo mentioned “Cade (Beresford) did a really nice job through spring, Konner (Gomness) has shown he can do a bunch of stuff for us. Rodrick (Tialavea) is going to be someone we want to see grow in his second year. There’s some O-line depth, that’s going to be kind of one of the focuses for fall camp.” Not to mention seasoned vets in already-filled O-Line positions.

For defense, listings have been pretty vague- all safeties, nickels, and corners are noted under “defensive backs” presumably to increase variety among players in positions.

And finally- when asked about vaccines, Rolo’s status remains the same, as does the 75% team vaccination rate mentioned at Pac-12 Media Day. Or rather, no direct updates were given. It should also be noted that vaccine updates will come mainly from Pat Chun, which makes sense politically- if we’re politicizing college football. Just go get your shot, protect your community.

Once again, we’ll start seeing some answers today. I hope we’re in for a fun (and safe) season. Go Cougs!

Links

WSU coach Nick Rolovich talks football, and not COVID, as Cougars set to begin practicing | The Seattle Times
Nick Rolovich was clearly more interested in talking about his football team Thursday afternoon than COVID-19 vaccinations, or the lack thereof, one day before his team begins practicing for the...

WSU athletic department sets record for fundraising | Sports | dnews.com
Despite the pandemic, the Washington State athletic department set a record for fundraising for the fiscal year ending June 30, raising more than $30 million.

CFB realignment: Will the Pac-12 break apart? Two (unlikely) paths
The realignment wave threatens to divide college football between the haves and the have-nots. Several Pac-12 teams are vulnerable. But it's too early to panic.

The race for QB1 and nine other questions Washington State needs to answer during preseason camp | The Spokesman-Review
In a brief Zoom meeting with reporters Thursday, Washington State coach Nick Rolovich previewed preseason camp, responding to questions about the looming quarterback battle, his controversial decision not to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and other topics surrounding the Cougars in 2021.

Through challenges with ALS, Gleason continues to inspire - KXLY