Those who played last year: Kache Palacio (rush end/LB), Ivan McLennan (RE/LB), Daniel Ekuale, Richard Barber, Daryl Paulo, and Destiny Vaeao have two or more years in the program.Vaeao received some serious looks from some big programs coming out of high school, and Ekuale and McLennan had offers from Oregon.
The top newcomers (transfers, redshirts): Jeremiah Mitchell (JC), Ngala Tapa, Kingston Fernandez, Hercules Mata'afa, and Reggie Coates (DE-LB Nevada). Mitchell chose WSU over Oregon, ASU, and others.
New frosh: Thomas Toki, Hunter Mattox, T.J. Fehoko, Nnamdi Oguayo.
Position change: Devonte McClain, 6-5, 314.
There is no denying Xavier Cooper's leaving early is a loss. Toni Pole, while hardly a spectacular player, was stout and strong (35 reps on the bench in his NFL tryouts). But Vaeao, Ekuale, and Barber definitely passed the interior d-line eye test in the spring. Paulo appears ready to be a more consistent contributor.
But the key is depth. Tapa is still green, but at 315 seems ready for spot duty. No one expects Toki to win a starting position, but get ready for the Tomasi Kongaika comparisons at some point this season if he doesn't redshirt. McClain, if he can improve his agility, is another guy who can buy the starters a breath.
Mitchell missed the spring game but definitely made big impressions in prior scrimmages. He's likely as good a JC d-line transfer as WSU has had in years. Better yet, the coaches are smart enough to not move him to d-tackle.
Coates was a surprise in the spring, and Mata'afa continued to make a name for himself. Many see him strictly at LB, however.
The potential darkhorse is Mattox. I see him redshirting, because he's growing into a d-tackle. Fehoko terrorized opposing backfields in high school (his clips are great), but the transition to D1 will take some time.
For those who are interested in the future of Cougar football, feel free to weigh in!