/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/6778823/20120830_jla_ar5_129.0.jpg)
The Washington State Cougars will host at least 13 players this weekend, and Mike Leach hopes to gain as many verbal commitments as possible. Among the 13 are eight who have already verbally committed, and who look to help persuade the other five to join them. Visit lists are never 100%, so I say at least 13 because that's how many Scout has listed. Often a few more will visit, sometimes unofficially, and just slip through the cracks.
Here's a look at who will be tripping to Pullman this weekend:
(All star rankings via Scout)
Already Committed:
Cole Madison, ✯✯✯, TE/OL, Burien, WA
Matt Meyer, ✯✯✯, OL, Lynden, WA
Olito Thompson, ✯✯✯, RB, Concord, CA
Jamal Morrow, ✯✯✯, RB, Menifee, CA
Myron Turner, ✯✯✯, S, Desoto, TX
Peyton Pelluer, ✯✯, LB, Sammamish, WA
Markell Sanders, ✯✯, DB, Sammamish, WA
Malik Jenkins, NR, LB/DE, Ennis, TX
Non Committed:
Darius Allensworth, ✯✯✯, CB, Menifee, CA
Oh man, Allensworth is a really nice player. If we were to land him, he'd probably be my favorite player in the entire class. The addition of Daquawn Brown was already a big deal, but adding two very good corners with a myriad of Pac-12 offers would be fantastic. Our in is that he's teammates with Jamal Morrow at Heritage HS in Menifee, CA. C'mon dude, show him how awesome Pullman is!
Allensworth is a current Cal commit with offers from Arizona, Colorado, UCLA, Utah, and Wisconsin. Video highlights here and here.
Marcellus Pippins, ✯✯✯, CB, El Cerrito, CA
Pippins is another current verbal commit to a Pac-12 school, but this time it's Utah. His tape is from his junior year, but he looks pretty solid in it. Hard to judge him solely on that, but you have to assume he's improved from last year to this year. A pretty solid player all around, as he can return punts and kicks, as well. I have a soft spot for corners, so every single year I want to sign as many as possible. Plus, you've seen our secondary, right?
Has offers from Fresno State, Northern Arizona, San Diego State, UCLA, UNLV, and Utah State. Junior highlights are here.
Takkarist McKinley, ✯✯✯, DE, Richmond, CA
McKinley is another current Cal commit, and I hope we get both he and Allensworth as payback for Cedric Dozier. Jerks. McKinley is already a big kid at 6'3, 240, so I'm confident that he could add more weight. He's a bit light for a Pac-12 DE, but he could play the BUCK and be fine.
Aside from Cal and WSU, he has an offer from Nevada. No highlights this time, guys. But his name is Takkarist for goodness sake. Takkarist! That's scholarship worthy right there.
Montrel Meander, ✯✯, S, Amarillo, TX
Besides making the All Hogwarts Team with a name like Montrel Meander, the kid can play. He's a 6'3, 185 pound safety who also played some wideout. I think he's the type of rangy centerfielder that the Cougs would like to have, and once he hits the weights a bit, he could be pushing 200+ pounds. Keep bringin' in those kids from the Lone Star State, please.
Meander has offers from Houston, New Mexico, San Diego State, Texas-San Antonio, and us. Video highlights here and here.
Charleston White, NR, WR, Amarillo, TX
White is high school teammates with Meander, and while I don't think his name is a great fit at Hogwarts, he does sort of sound like a super-hero's secret identity. White is the only kid tripping this weekend who doesn't currently hold an offer. That's interesting. Texas' SBN blog Burnt Orange Nation recently did a post on White which is definitely worth a read.
A lot of teams are looking at Meander, so perhaps the reason we're giving White a look is to land a package deal. Not sure, really. White is pretty athletic, though. Video highlights here.
***
So there you have it, folks. These 13 kids are visiting everyone's favorite college town this weekend in hopes of determining their futures. Let's hope they become Cougs.
-----
Want more? Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. Also, check out Recruiting Central