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It’s been a minute since the Washington State Cougars picked up a recruiting commitment to their 2019 class, but nearly three months of silence was broken on Thursday when three-star Hawaii linebacker Peni Naulu committed to the Cougs.
i just want to take this time and say Thank you God for everything, for all the blessings and for this opportunity that you've given me, 100% COMMITTED TO WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY ✖ #GoCougs #G2G pic.twitter.com/Vh8kGYqpWX
— PN ⚑ (@peniboi45) September 6, 2018
The very first thing that will jump out to WSU fans is that Naulu’s offer list is eye-popping relative to what we typically see from a Cougar commit: In addition to the usual suspects such as Cal, Nebraska, and Oregon State, Naulu also holds offers from Washington, Oregon, and UCLA.
In watching his highlights, his ability to track down ball carriers and make a sure tackle — even in space — sticks out to me. And while he’s listed as an outside linebacker, he certainly looks like someone who could easily (inevitably?) bulk up and end up as an inside linebacker.
Naulu cited his relationship with linebackers coach Ken Wilson as key to his decision to commit; you can read more about that here if you have a 247sports subscription. He’s the first defensive player to commit in this class, which now stands at five. WSU also now has five commitments from five different states, which is probably apropos of nothing, but interesting nonetheless.
2019 WSU football recruiting commitments
Player | Expected Pos. | 247 Composite | Composite Value | NLI received? | Enrolled Early? | Measurables (via 247) | Commit Date | City | State | CougCenter Profile | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Player | Expected Pos. | 247 Composite | Composite Value | NLI received? | Enrolled Early? | Measurables (via 247) | Commit Date | City | State | CougCenter Profile | Comments |
Travion Brown | LB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8748 | YES | NO | 6-3/215 | 10/2/18 | Temecula | CA | Link | Rated four stars by 247sports evaluators |
Jamir Thomas | RB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8676 | YES | NO | 6-1/215 | 11/27/18 | Massillon | OH | Link | Ranked as a LB, converted to RB as a senior |
Gunner Cruz | QB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8607 | YES | YES | 6-4.5/215 | 5/31/18 | Queen Creek | AZ | Link | Threw for 5700 yards and 70 TDs as soph/jr |
Bryce Beekman | DB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8582 | YES | YES | 6-2/190 | 11/20/18 | Yuma | AZ | Link | Teammate of OL commit Dontae Powell |
Jouvensly Bazile | RB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8540 | YES | NO | 5-10/180 | 6/28/18 | Naples | FL | Link | Has reportedly clocked 10.98 in 100 meters |
Patrick Utschinski | OL | ✯✯✯ | 0.8537 | YES | NO | 6-7/280 | 9/10/18 | Walla Walla | WA | Link | Rated four stars by 247sports evaluators |
Konner Gomness | OL | ✯✯✯ | 0.8532 | YES | NO | 6-4/270 | 9/29/18 | Fresno | CA | Link | Reported offer from Louisville and lots of midmajors |
Billy Pospisil | WR | ✯✯✯ | 0.8463 | YES | YES | 5-11/190 | 2/16/18 | Arvada | CO | Attends same high school as 2018 signee Max Borghi | |
Armauni Archie | DB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8456 | YES | NO | 6-1/175 | 10/12/18 | El Cerrito | CA | Link | Chose WSU over an offer from Nebraska |
Derrick Langford | DB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8448 | YES | YES | 6-2/185 | 11/15/18 | San Francisco | CA | Link | Juco who has four to play three |
Tyler Garay-Harris | DL | ✯✯✯ | 0.8444 | YES | NO | 6-5/230 | 11/4/18 | Oakland | CA | Link | Offers from Utah and ASU |
Donovan Ollie | WR | ✯✯✯ | 0.8431 | YES | NO | 6-3/205 | 10/15/18 | Wylie | TX | Link | Chose WSU over Iowa State and Utah |
Peni Naulu | LB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8423 | YES | NO | 6-1/210 | 9/6/18 | Kapolei | HI | Link | Other offers: UW, Oregon, UCLA, Cal, Nebraska |
Cosmas Kwete | DL | ✯✯✯ | 0.8418 | YES | NO | 6-3/220 | 11/5/18 | Phoenix | AZ | Link | Inexperienced player, specialized in Rugby |
Daniel Isom | DB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8407 | YES | YES | 5-10/180 | 11/8/18 | Council Bluffs | IA | Link | Played as a true freshman for NIU before transfer |
Rocky Katoanga | LB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8366 | YES | YES | 6-2/205 | 2/6/18 | Oceanside | CA | Grayshirted | |
Jimmy Price | OL | ✯✯✯ | 0.8306 | YES | NO | 6-5/295 | 1/26/19 | Houston | TX | Link | Picked WSU over Arizona State |
Shahman Moore | DB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8267 | YES | YES | 6-0/170 | 12/20/18 | El Segundo | CA | Link | Two years of eligibility remaining |
Ma'ake Fifita | OL | ✯✯✯ | 0.8154 | YES | NO | 6-5/250 | 12/16/18 | Snohomish | WA | Link | Staff targeted him as a center |
Gatlin Grisso | DB | ✯✯✯ | 0.8072 | YES | YES | 6-1/185 | 6/23/17 | Aubrey | TX | Link | Grayshirted |
Nicholas Sheetz | DL | ✯✯✯ | 0.8072 | YES | NO | 6-3/253 | 2/3/19 | Greenwood | SC | Link | Lightly recruited; offered PWO by Georgia |
Simon Samarzich | LS | ✯✯✯ | 0.8043 | YES | NO | 6-0/200 | 6/8/18 | Upland | CA | Rated the top long snapper in the country | |
Gage Gubrud | QB | NA | YES | YES | 6-2/205 | 1/26/19 | Cheney | WA | Link | Grad transfer from EWU |
Soccer is still undefeated
Before we get on to the football links, a little love for what has been the best program at WSU for a while now — 5-0-0 and rising up the national rankings.
Cougs rule the Palouse | Sports | lmtribune.com
PULLMAN - Playing in their first border battle rivalry showdown since 2015, the No. 17 Washington State soccer team kept its undefeated season alive.
Cougars Dominate The Battle of the Palouse - Washington State University
PULLMAN, Wash. – Putting on a defensive exhibition, the No. 17 ranked Washington State soccer team (5-0-0) came up with their third shutout of the young season, holding visiting Idaho (2-4-0) goalless on their way to a 3-0 win at home at Lower Soccer Field.
Palouse Posse of the Pitch? Stingy D elevates Cougar soccer team - Cougfan.com
Freshmen and veterans working seamlessly
HIGHLIGHT | @hailey_smitty with the smooth finish off the first career assist from Coug keeper Rachel Thompson, what a boot | 3-0 WSU #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/MNwGNlhB4w
— WSU Cougar Soccer (@WSUCougarSoccer) September 7, 2018
Tyler Hilinski
I wrote about Tyler yesterday. Here are some other perspectives on how WSU is handling the death.
In honoring QB, WSU tries to find balance | Sports | dnews.com
During a five-month period immediately after comedian Robin Williams hanged himself in 2014, suicide rates in the United State rose by 10 percent, according a study…
Grip on Sports: As Washington State opens its home football season, the Cougars move forward instead of moving on | The Spokesman-Review
A GRIP ON SPORTS • Everyone has experienced sadness mixed in with the joy sports can bring. That’s part of how sports mirror life. But one would hope a certain type of sadness would never be included. It has this year at Washington State.
‘Help and hope’ the strategy Washington State is employing to honor former QB Tyler Hilinski | The Spokesman-Review
It’s easy to sense the fatigue and grief in Dr. Sunday Henry’s voice as Washington State’s director of athletic medicine talks about Tyler Hilinski near a chain link fence on the north side of Rogers Field, while nearby Cougar football players labor through drills on a sun-beaten afternoon in mid-August.
Links
WSU in Week Two: 3 things I think, 3 things I know - Cougfan.com
Predicting what could and will happen when Washington State battles San Jose State
Remembering frosty ‘Refrigerator Bowl’ – The Daily Evergreen
Regardless of how WSU fares in its home opener against San Jose State University, it will be nearly impossible to top the historic matchup 63 years ago.
Football holds home opener – The Daily Evergreen
WSU football will be heavy favorites this weekend as they take on San Jose State University in its home opener.
Predicting the Pac: Week Two - Duck Territory
Skopil: Oregon fans should watch this one closely, as they play the Spartans next week and the Cougars in just over a month. Washington State's 41-19 win over Wyoming on the road last week was pretty impressive. I like them to win and cover.
San Jose State vs. Washington State Preview | Mountain West Wire
Will the Spartans have a bounce back game at Washington State? Contact/Follow @MWCwire WEEK 2: San Jose State University (0-1, 0-0 MW) vs Washington State Cougars (1-0, 0-0 Pac 12) WHEN: Saturday, Sept.
Pac-12 Power Rankings Week 1 - Conquest Chronicles
The Pac-12 went 8-4 in season openers last week. Here are the power rankings for the "Conference of Champions" heading in to Week 2.
Volleyball Set To Host 2018 Cougar Challenge - Washington State University
WSU Tennis Set to Host Play with a Cougar Event - Washington State University
PULLMAN, Wash. -- Washington State women's tennis invites members of the community to join the team for their annual Play with a Coug event on Friday, Sept. 7. Tennis play begins at 4:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the rest of the evening's program at 6 p.m.