The Washington State Cougars secured the second portion of their 2022 recruiting class today as the late signing period opened for prospective players to send in their national letters of intent — a commitment that binds the player and the school together for at least the next year. It appears they are done for today.

Amid all the upheaval from the coaching change at WSU, the Cougars have been working hard to fill out the class, which featured a smaller-than-usual set that was inked on the early signing day back in December. There were a flurry of commitments over the past week as WSU has brought players into Pullman for official visits.

The highest rated of the late commitments is running back Jaylen Jenkins, who was unrated until recently. He’s small but shifty, and is the kind of running back who can make some hay in Eric Morris’ Air Raid if he gets in space. He also looks tailor made as a specialist in the return game.

Also up there is offensive lineman Zack Miller. The 6-foot-7/308-pound offensive lineman from Orange, California, also was recently offered by Colorado before committing to the Cougs.

He said the opportunity to work with new offensive line coach Clay McGuire was a huge selling point.

“His coaching style fits what I’m looking for. He’s big on development and that’s what I’m looking for. I just turned 18 and still learning and coach McGuire is about developing and teaching you first and then learning the scheme and the offense,” said Miller, who also considered Ivy League schools. “He has had success every where he has been and gotten guys drafted everywhere he has been. Whether that has been in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd round, he’s doing a great job getting his guys to the next level and that’s obviously a goal for me. ...

“I’m excited about the chance to play in the Pac-12 for a coaching staff I really like. I like the campus and the college town feel of Pullman. It’s a great all around fit and I’m excited to get going.”

The day was light on unexpected news, but the Cougs did sign a pair of previously uncommitted players: David Johnson and Reece Sylvester. Both visited Pullman on officials last weekend, and both are headed for DB, which has been a huge emphasis in this class.

The current top consensus player in the entire class is someone who was added in between last signing day and this: Quarterback transfer Cameron Ward. He followed new WSU offensive coordinator Eric Morris from FCS Incarnate Word — where he put up incredible numbers in the Morris’ version of the Air Raid — spurning Ole Miss in the process. He figures to step right into the starting role after the concurrent transfer of previous WSU quarterback Jayden de Laura to Arizona.

WSU also added three other transfers who are likely to be celebrated today: Safety Jordan Lee and linebacker Daiyan Henley from Nevada, and defensive lineman Nusi Malani from Virginia. Interestingly, transfers make up three of the top six players in the class.

All of today’s signings are listed below. We’ll update the list if any more letters roll in.

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* Name links back to WSU bio page; star rating reflects 247 Sports’ composite ranking and links back to their 247 Sports recruiting profile.

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Expected to sign today

Letter of Intent received

• Jaylen Jenkins, RB | ✯✯✯ (0.8444) | 5-8/166 | Allen, TX
  Video
  Scouting report: Jenkins is a prototypical scat back. Small, shifty and slippery around the line of scrimmage, with a good burst of speed once he gets into the second level. Good receiver out of the backfield as well. Size is a concern in pass protection.
• Zack Miller, OL | ✯✯✯ (0.8405) | 6-7/308 | Orange, CA
  Video
  Scouting report: Miller is a little bit stiff coming out of his stance, and that is exaggerated because of his height. Moves fairly well in space, and fights well with his hands. Will need to work on quickness and footwork in pass sets.
• Kendall Williams, OL | ✯✯✯ (0.8396) | 6-3/291 | San Diego, CA
  Video
  Scouting report: Williams is mean. Uses his size and strength to bully smaller edge defenders, but will need to shore up technique against Pac-12 level rushers, as he would rather toss them to the ground than maintain a block. Good athlete for a big man, in a pinch could play on the defensive side as well.
• Tony Carter, LB | ✯✯✯ (0.8348) | 6-0/195 | Jacksonville, FL
  Video
  Scouting report: Carter is a linebacker in a safety’s body. He is very good at the point of attack and a strong tackler. His athleticism is good enough that he can play in space against a slot receiver. There’s a lot of Armani Marsh in his game, and that is probably the high-water mark for his ability.
• David Johnson, DB | ✯✯✯ (0.8227) | 6-2/174 | Hooks, TX
  Video
  Scouting report: Johnson played about six different positions in high school, which gives you an idea of his athletic ability. Most of his highlights are on the offensive side of the ball, but WSU likes him on defense. Good instincts as a safety and has a nose for the ball when it’s in the air.
• John Mateer, QB | ✯✯✯ (0.8225) | 6-1/215 | Little Elm, TX
  Video
  Scouting report: When Mateer has a clean pocket, his above average arm strength shines. Good athlete with the ability to make plays outside of the pocket, though his arm angle tends to drop on the move. A bit of a gamble, but with proper coaching and development, one that could pay out in a big way down the road.
• Luke Roaten, OL | ✯✯✯ (0.8167) | 6-5/265 | Tomball, TX
  Video
  Scouting report: The first half of the Roaten brothers that will be coming to the Palouse is the smaller of the two. Plays a bit high on the defensive line highlights which allows for blockers to get under his pads, but his strength allows him to bull rush his way through. Will need to work on his center of gravity and quicken his feet.
• Landon Roaten, OL | ✯✯✯ (0.8149) | 6-5/285 | Tomball, TX
  Video
  Scouting report: The second of the Roaten brothers looks the part of a D1 offensive linemen, and is closer to being ready to play. Very polished technique and good technique in his footwork. Has a nasty finish to his run blocks, and with his frame, could see the field before long.
• Reece Sylvester, DB | ✯✯✯ (0.7982) | 5-10/160 | Houston, TX
  Video
  Scouting report:

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Signed earlier

Transfers

• Cameron Ward, QB | ✯✯✯✯ (0.9300) | 6-3/220 | West Columbia, TX (via Incarnate Word)
  Video
  Scouting report: Maybe the best part of the Eric Morris hire, Ward will greatly soften the blow of Jayden de Laura transferring to Arizona. It’s not often that you can lose a QB of that caliber and potentially improve, but Ward can make every throw on the field, and is a great athlete with the ball in his hands. We’ll see how he translates the speed of Pac-12 defenses, but he often looked like a man amongst boys at the FCS level.
• Jordan Lee, DB | ✯✯✯ (0.8800) | 5-11/205 | Las Vegas, NV (via Nevada)
  Scouting report: Lee brings a wealth of experience at safety to the Palouse, which will help mitigate the loss of the veteran members of the Cougar secondary. The honorable mention All-MWC performer hits like a truck when he gets to the ballcarrier, and has a knack for popping the ball out.
• Daiyan Henley, LB | ✯✯✯ (0.8700) | 6-2/220 | Los Angeles, CA (via Nevada)
  Scouting report: Probably the best pick-up this offseason, non-Cam Ward division. Henley was an all-MWC performer at linebacker for Nevada, and will play just one season on the Palouse. Played QB in high school and started as a receiver in Reno. Makes plays all over the field and should be the starter at MLB from day one.
• Nusi Malani, DL | ✯✯✯ (0.8500) | 6-6/275 | San Bruno, CA (via Virginia)
  Scouting report: Malani comes to the Palouse from a familiar high school program in Junipero Serra, by way of UVA. He managed to crack the defensive line rotation as a freshman, appearing in seven games. After surgeries to repair both shoulders, Malani is a question mark, but has the potential to be a disruptive element on the Cougar defense.

Letter of Intent received in December

• Andre Dollar, TE | ✯✯✯ (0.8817) | 6-6/230 | Mustang, OK
  Video
  Scouting report: The erstwhile Oregon recruit lined up as an in-line tight end, an H-back, and split out as a receiver. Has a mean streak as a blocker, and has very good hands as a pass receiver. Has the frame to put on the weight necessary to play at the Power 5 level, and given the newness of the position, could contribute immediately. Set to enroll early, which should help tremendously with strength and conditioning heading into next season.
• Taariq Al-Uqdah, LB | ✯✯✯ (0.8735) | 6-0/218 | South Central Los Angeles, CA
  Video
  Scouting report: A very instinctive linebacker, Al-Uqdah negotiates his way through the clutter in the middle of the field very well, and has an explosive burst to the ball carrier. Solid tackler in space and has the speed to chase down runners from the backside. Could play inside or outside linebacker.
• Djouvensky Schlenbaker, RB | ✯✯✯ (0.8607) | 6-0/220 | Bellingham, WA
  Video
  Scouting report: Schlenbaker will arrive in Pullman with the size to contribute right away. Good speed to get around the edge, and shows decent hands out of the backfield in the passing game. Has a very upright running style through the hole, but finishes runs behind his pads at point of contact. Set to enroll early, which should help tremendously with strength and conditioning heading into next season.
• Eric Wilder, OL | ✯✯✯ (0.8527) | 6-5/280 | Syracuse, UT
  Video
  Scouting report: Wilder is an athletic lineman with a big frame. Releases out of his stance quickly and beats defenders to the spot. Gets out on the edge well and handles smaller defenders. Projects to play tackle with prototypical size and body type.
• Javan Robinson, DB | ✯✯✯ (0.8464) | 5-11/175 | Apopka, FL
  Video
  Scouting report: A bit undersized for a Power 5 corner, Robinson makes up for it with his quick twitch speed and change of direction. Good instincts in a zone defense and is aggressive when separating the ball from a receiver. Can also contribute on special teams in the return game.
• Hudson Cedarland, LB | ✯✯✯ (0.8449) | 6-4/220 | Gig Harbor, WA
  Video
  Scouting report: Cederland is a natural linebacker who has a nose for the ball. His run fits are very good and he finishes tackles well. Above average athleticism, as he turns around and plays receiver on the offensive side of the ball as well. Set to enroll early.
• Jakobus Seth, OL | ✯✯✯ (0.8355) | 6-4/280 | Lakewood, WA
  Video
  Scouting report: Impressive athleticism for his size, Seth runs like a skill position player. Also lined up at H-back during his high school career, which is intriguing considering the new offensive system. On defense, he had a quick burst off the line at end, making it difficult for offensive linemen to get a clean block on him. That agility should translate to offensive line.
• Leyton Smithson, DB | ✯✯✯ (0.8355) | 6-2/180 | Bellingham, WA
  Video
  Scouting report: Smithson played quarterback, wide receiver, and safety during his high school career. Was a dangerous weapon in a read option-based offense with the ability to run around and through defenses. WSU seems to like him as a safety with size and speed.
• Bryce Grays, DB | ✯✯✯ (0.8154) | 5-11/190 | Richmond, TX
  Video
  Scouting report: Grays is not shy about coming downhill and laying a blow on a ball carrier. Will need to prove he has the athleticism to match up with receivers in the Pac-12, but shows good closing speed and a nose for the ball.
• Sam Lockett III, DB | ✯✯✯ (0.8151) | 6-1/205 | Spokane, WA (via Utah State and City College of San Francisco)
  Video

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Decommitted

• Adryan Lara, QB | ✯✯✯ (0.8696) | 6-2/215 | Goodyear, AZ (committed to Kansas State)
• Jihad Lateef, OL | ✯✯✯ (0.8586) | 6-4/281 | Lubbock, TX (committed to Sam Houston State)
• Ta’ita’i Uiagalelei, DL | ✯✯✯ (0.8336) | 6-4/255 | Santa Ana, CA (flipped to Arizona on early signing day)

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