WSU football recruiting: Cougars hosting 10 recruits on visits

Seemingly every Cougar home game, I write a post calling it a "big" recruiting weekend for official visitors. Obviously that was nothing but hyperbole because none of those weeks compare to what WSU has on tap this weekend. This is a big recruiting weekend both in sheer size and the quality of recruits headed to town.

Washington State will host 10 official visitors this week, including several top prospects. Although the recruiting services differ slightly on rankings, all three agree that three 4-star prospects will be in town. The visitor list will be anchored by a pair of current WSU commits. They aren't the only committed prospects on visits, however, as three others -- two of which are committed to Pac-12 schools -- will join them.

WSU had a solid list of five official visitors for the Oregon game, but are blowing it out this weekend. It's an interesting strategy and we'll see how it pays off. Night games are great for recruiting because it gives the players plenty of time to be in town on game day. Most travel in either late Friday or early Saturday morning, so a late kickoff allows them to take in the full environment. If the atmosphere at Martin Stadium is anything like it was against Oregon, it should be a positive for WSU.

Here's a closer look at the 10 players scheduled to be in town.

Tyler Hilinski | QB | Upland, Calif. | Rivals: 4-star | Scout: 3-star | 24/7 Sports: 3-star | Verbal: WSU

WSU's quarterback in the 2015 class, it should come as no surprise Hilinski is scheduled to be in town on the biggest recruiting week of the year. Quarterbacks often help build and secure the class, taking a leadership role similar to what they will in the huddle. That has been true with Hilinski and he told Britton Ransford of WazzuWatch ($) that he's excited to play the role of recruiter this week.

Kameron Powell | Safety | Upland, Calif. | Rivals: 3-star | Scout: 4-star | 24/7 Sports: 3-star | Verbal: WSU

A teammate of Hilinski, Powell will be one of three Upland players in town. He committed not long after Hilinski did and has risen up some of the recruiting rankings since. Scout.com likes him enough to give him 4-stars and rank him as the No. 27 safety in the country. As the other committed prospect, he'll likely help Hilinski try to persuade the other visitors.

Stanley Norman | Athlete | Gardena, Calif | Rivals: 4-star | Scout: 4-star | 24/7 Sports: 4-star | Verbal: None

A top 100 recruit, Norman could play either wide receiver or corner in college. He's the No. 4 athlete according to Rivals and the No. 84 recruit overall. He's teammates with current WSU commit Deontay Burnett and goes to the same high school Kache Palacio attended. His offer list is basically a list of the top 25 rankings with Alabama, Florida State, Oklahoma, UCLA, USC and a host of others offering. One of the most highly-touted recruits to visit Pullman in a while. He also goes by the nickname "Scrappy" which is outstanding. Cheetah and Scrappy for WSU secondary and season three of True Detective.

Marcus Lewis | CB | Washington DC | Rivals: 4-star | Scout: 4-star | 24/7 Sports: 4-star | Verbal: None

The other consensus 4-star prospect on the visitor list. Lewis will come all the way from DC and is another major visitor. The 6-foot-1 corner's offer list includes FSU, Ohio State, Florida, Oregon and a dozen other top schools. Seriously, most of the Big Ten and ACC is on that list with several top SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12 schools mixed in. WSU's need at corner is no mystery and based on his highlights and recruiting status, Lewis would be a candidate to play right away. WSU is his first official visit and according to Britton, the Cougars, Oregon, Michigan, Florida and Miami make up Lewis' top five.

Joshua Woods | LB | Upland, Calif. | Rivals: 3-star | Scout: 3-star | 24/7 Sports: 3-star | Verbal: UCLA

Woods will join his teammates Powell and Hilinski on visits. He committed to UCLA in late July. At 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds Woods could project to a couple positions at WSU. With good speed, he could project as a SAM linebacker for WSU. Add some weight and he might move to the other side and play the WIL spot. WSU linebacker coach Ken Wilson is the point man with Woods.

Eddie Rudinski | LB | Westlake Village, Calif | Rivals: 3-star | Scout: 3-star | 24/7 Sports: 3-star | Verbal: None

Tanked at the No. 21 inside linebacker by Rivals.com, Rudinski comes out of Oaks Christian High School in California. His reported offer list includes Washington, Colorado, Nevada and Yale among others. 24/7 Sports list him with Washington as his favorite and WSU, Colorado and Vanderbilt next.

Dahu Green | WR | Moore, Okla. | Rivals: 3-star | Scout: 3-star | 24/7 Sports: 3-star | Verbal: Louisville

WSU has dipped into Oklahoma occasionally and Green is the next target from the Sooner state. At 6-foot-4 and 188 pounds, Green has future X receiver written all over him. He's ranked as the No. 50 WR by Rivals. With Vince Mayle in his last year and Dom Williams playing his junior season, there will be a holes to fill at the X spot in the near future. Carlos Freeman is the only player currently on the roster from Oklahoma. Green is extremely impressive. Great hands, good burst and unstoppable on jump balls.

Olive Sagapolu | DT| Santa Ana, Calif. | Rivals: 3-star | Scout: 3-star | 24/7 Sports: 3-star | Verbal: None

A big defensive tackle at 6-foot 3 and 300 pounds, Sagapolu will take his first official visit this week. Wisconsin is also chasing after him and he will visit Madison later this month. Interior defensive line is another area of need. Joe Salave'a is the lead recruiter, so WSU is in very good hands.

Dillon Faamatau | DT | Norwalk, Calif | Rivals: 3-star | Scout: 3-star | 24/7 Sports: 3-star | Verbal: None

The other defensive tackle on the visit list. WSU is competing against a couple of Pac-12 programs with Arizona State, Colorado and Utah having also offered. UCLA is in the mix too, but the Bruins haven't offered the 6-foot-4, 280-pound prospect. His frame gives him the potential to play any of the three spots along WSU's defensive line.

George Wilson | WR | Tustin, Calif. | Rivals: 3-star | Scout: 3-star | 24/7 Sports: 3-star | Verbal: Utah

Record a 21-point comeback win against Utah one week, go after one of their verbal commits the next. At 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Wilson projects as an outside receiver in WSU's Air Raid. He's long and rangy like Dom Williams but moves similar to Isiah Myers. He would probably fit at either outside spot and played some DB in high school too. Considering how many times the ball is going to be in the air on Saturday, good time to host wide receiver prospects.