2023 Washington State | Spring Practice Introspective

[TuscanSota]

 

Spring Practice is soon to begin for the Cougars, and fans are excited in seeing what is to be of Washington State's squad after 2022. Many fans consider Coach Toucan's second season as an improvement, especially considering in 2021 the Cougars went 4-8 and lost to their rival, Washington. While 2022 did see the Cougs losing to Washington (again), and an appearance in the Pac-12 Championship game and the Holiday Bowl, fans see this as a success considering that 6 is a higher number than 4.

 

With many having graduated this past fall including starters such as OT Niuman Dahl, RB Chris Tilson and QB Kevin Miller, many are wondering what Washington State's identity will look like in the next season. Frankly, there's much to look forward to, as Coach Tuscan is preparing on assessing many positions this spring.

 

Quarterback

Online fans have been meme-ing the rise of David Ross, and are begging Cougars coaches to start the sensational punter at Quarterback, and Coach Tuscan is giving the punter the chance of a lifetime. He isn't going to make it easy though, as there are three other QBs in the running:

 

Senior QB Anfernee Rutledge

With Kevin Miller out of the limelight in Pullman, Rutledge appears to be an early frontrunner for the starting spot. Of all QBs on roster, Rutledge supposedly has the best arm and would be the Cougs' best chance at having a passing game. From a scheme fit, the Cougars have ran a double-wing since adopting it in the middle of 2021 season. Coach Toucan has been slowly molding the team to this gameplan, and while Rutledge would provide insurance, some are unsure how well he will lead the offense in a scheme that doesn't match his strengths.

 

Redshirt Sophomore Pat Niang

Niang has been quiet on the bench after redshirting in 2021, but has emerged as a potential starter for the Cougs' run-based offense. He is known for being very agile and would add another backfield option to the Cougar's gameplan. His throwing capability is rumored to match with Rutledge's if Scramblers were given their due justice. Niang does provide opportunity for the Cougars, but at a risk of throwing out the team's passing gameplan.

 

Redshirt Freshman Meyers Ramirez

Some consider Ramirez's recruitment to be a diamond in the rough during Tuscan's first season but this diamond needs plenty of experience. Even after redshirting, Ramirez appears to be behind other scrambling QBs on the roster such as Pat Niang and Vontae Karras. Coach Tuscan is still confident in Ramirez's apt ability to improve. Much remains to be seen how well Ramirez will do in practice, though Cougars fans would apt that if the team is in full rebuild mode, give this kid some snaps. He might not win games now, but there's plenty to say about the kid's potential.

 

Sophomore Punter David Ross

All of the other entries for Quarterbacks are futile because David Ross will lead this offense to glory and get over 6900 passing yards in a run-based scheme for a run-based team.

 

Offensive Line

The offensive line is in full rebuild mode. Many players are expected to make their first starts including sophomore redshirt Boban Donahue, JR OG Carlos Huff, and redshirt Sophomore Daniel Hemingway (rumored lost great-grandson of Ernest Hemingway). Linemen key on being in the backup positions are redshirt freshmen OT Rick Jones, redshirt sophomore Jerome Huff, redshirt junior Felix Rodriguez, freshman Joseph Reid, and redshirt freshman Edgar Morris. The offense is going to need to depend heavily on this unit -- but with the state of the offense now, many are considering the OLine to be a "work in progress"

 

Wide Receivers

In a fantastic irony, the Cougar's receivers supposedly appear decent. Aaron Suscac is finally a starter and he is a B+ rating as a Possession receiver. The future of this unit is in dire straights, considering the Cougs could not find a WR to recruit.

 

Linebackers

At inside linebacker, Sr Justin Hurst is projected to make his first start. As the fastest linebacker in the group, Hurst appears as a bright spot in a unit that is still rebuilding at this time.

 

At linebacker, the Cougs are still relying on senior talent in Sr Cameron Humphrey, but freshman Tony Crowley is suspected to turn some heads this way this spring.

 

Cornerbacks

With confidence the team can affirm that junior Hoby Watt remains the starting CB and as the Cougs' best defensive player on the roster. The rest of the cornerback group is many new faces, with redshirt junior Rico White, sophomore Shawn Bullard, redshirt sophomore Fred Davis, and sophomore Brett Riefenhauser expected to compete in rotation. The Cougs secondary has been making the transition to a Zone Coverage defense and should be the highlight both this season and seasons to come.

 

Safeties

At Free Safety, redshirt junior JR Ehinger is supposedly starting but has been requested by defensive coaches to reread the defensive playbook and the staff section of the yearbook, after a rumor floated by that he called Coach Toucan, Coach Birddrink. The athlete has defended his statements that he did not call coach Tuscan this (Its okay) but is startled as to why this could keep him as the starting Free Safety.

 

Monte Olt is expected to make his second (third?) start at Strong Safety and has been progressing impressively well for the Cougs defense.

 

Overall

Coach Italian-Province-Half-Midwestern-State is assessing the team and what direction to take the team for both this season and next season. It remains to be seen whether this team is reloading or rebuilding for 2023.

[Vivid]

Yaaaaaaasssssss

[Rocketcan]

DAVID ROSS FOR QB 2023