It’s like Christmas in August
Washington State released their first depth chart of the season on Monday and while there were a ton of things we expected to see, there were a few surprises and a lot of “or” listed. Head coach Jake Dickert is looking to get the Cougs primed for their first game of the season this weekend and will be doing so in a world of questions with conference realignment.
WSU’s Week 1 two-deep is here
Six ORs at the edge positions. Also an OR between FS Tyson Durant and Adrian Wilson.
Starting WRs are Kyle Williams, Tony Freeman, Josh Meredith/Kris Hutson and Tre Shackelford/Branden Ganashamoorthy. Carlos Hernandez out several games with injury. pic.twitter.com/nM5eXbSafP
— Greg Woods (@GregWWoods) August 26, 2024
Leading the Cougs will be John Mateer at quarterback. The redshirt sophomore will take the helm for the first time as the starter after appearing in every game last season off the bench. He comes in completing 15 of his 19 attempts for 267 yards and 3 touchdowns. He adds 151 yards on the ground on 25 attempts and an additional 3 touchdowns in his career.
The backfield gets a little more congested with “or” written between all 4 of the backs. one of Djouvensky Schlenbaker, Dylan Paine, Leo Pulalasi, and Wayshawn Parker will be the one standing with Mateer in the backfield on Saturday. These four combine for 95 carries and 515 yards and 1 touchdown in their careers. Paine holds the most attempts and yards out of the group with 40 attempts for 214 yards and the lone touchdown.
Kyle Williams, Tony Freeman, Josh Meredith or Kris Hutson, and Tre Shackelford or Branden Ganashmoorthy are the listed starting receivers. Carlos Hernandez is also on the depth chart but will not be returning until mid-October due to a foot injury.
The offensive line will be returning a majority of last seasons starters. From left to right it will go; Esa Pole, Rod Tialavea, Devin Kylany, Brock Dieu, and Fa’alili Fa’amoe or Christian Hilborn. Last year we saw Pole, Dieu, and Fa’amoe start for a majority of the season on the line while Tialavea got the start at left guard for the final two games of the season. Hilborn started every game last season at either tackle or guard and with Fa’amoe out to start the season, Hilborn will likely continue as the starter.
On the defensive side of the ball we will see quite a bit of “or” as Raam Stevenson, Nusi Malani, Isaac Terrell, Syrus Webster, Quinn Roff, and Andrew Edson are all listed as possible starters for the two edge positions. Whoever it is that steps in to fill the two roles will have some big shoes to fill as Ron Stone Jr. and Brennan Jackson are currently getting set to play on Sundays.
David Gusta will reprise his role as a defensive tackle with Ansel Din-Mbuh as the other man plugging up the middle of the defensive line. The linebackers will be Buddah Al-Uqdah at Mike and Kyle Thornton at Wil. The two of them started the final five games last season.
Kapena Gushiken will get the start at Nickel, a position he took over last season for the final three games of the season. Stephen Hall will start at one corner spot while Ethan O’Connor, Jamorri Colson, and Jaylon Edmond are all possibilities at the other spot. It was announced on Monday that Colson will miss “an extended period of time” however.
Tyson Durant or Adrian Wilson will get the nod at free safety while Jackson Lataimua will move from Nickel to Strong Safety.
Dickert and the Cougs will look to get off to a hot start this weekend against Portland State. The game will be televised on the CW at noon.
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Football:
In WSU’s Week 1 depth chart, coaches indicate plenty of playing time to go around
the Cougars’ Week 1 depth chart, which features a total of 24 “OR”s, meaning coaches haven’t yet decided on a starter at that position, allowing other players to get in on the action.
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Soccer:
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