WSU signs Jimmy Price, Nicholas Sheetz on National Signing Day

It’s the first Wednesday in February, which means it’s National Signing Day! Only, with the advent of the early signing period in December, this day has taken on a lot less meaning for programs like the Washington State Cougars.

Mike Leach already signed 20 players before the Alamo Bowl, and as I type this at 8 a.m. PT, the Cougs have already received the two letters of intent they were expecting. So, barring a surprise, today’s work is already done.

But you never know!

Signed Today

Nicholas Sheetz was added to the class on Super Bowl Sunday. He’s a low-three-star defensive end who will be coming across the country from South Carolina. His best offer was probably a preferred walk-on spot with Georgia, but he also held scholarship offers from the Air Force Falcons and a slew of FCS schools. He fills a need in the class, which is low on defensive linemen in general. While his rating won’t blow you away and is likely based on his potential as a rusher, it wouldn’t shock me at all if the coaching staff was looking to blow him up another 30 pounds and play him in the interior.

Jimmy Price also fills a need in this class. After WSU lost previous commitments from Dontae Powell (who will now sign with Portland State) and Hunter Hill (who now appears to be choosing between the USC Trojans and Utah State Aggies), the Cougs went the junior college route to add a fourth offensive lineman to the class. He is also a low-three-star recruit and has three years to play two, choosing WSU over the Arizona State Sun Devils.

What about Gage Gubrud?

James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

As was reported yesterday, erstwhile Eastern Washington quarterback Gage Gubrud — who would reportedly like to continue his career as a graduate transfer at WSU — appears to have been denied a sixth year of eligibility.

However, Gubrud is appealing the decision. And since WSU has allocated only 23 of its 25 “initial” scholarships — the 22 players who have signed plus one “blueshirt,” offensive lineman Hunter Mayginnes, who joined the team last fall as an unrecruited player and will count against this class — the Cougars appear to be holding a couple of scholarships open.

If Gubrud has a successful appeal, it can be assumed that one will go to him. The other ... who knows? Guys become available through transfer or through qualifying late. This gives them a little bit of flexibility. Once upon a time, Tavares Martin Jr. was added in May. That worked out pretty well for a few years!

Previously signed

Here’s a table of the entire class, including the two who signed today. If you’re looking for video highlights of the players who signed, you can find that here.