Gushiken, etc?

[Loyal Coug1]

I see Gushiken still shows as uncommitted in the portal, as well as several other Cougs (the Roaten Bros, etc.). Thought I read a while back that they are gone. The portal site (below) seems pretty up to date. Lots of guys from other schools out there uncommitted as well. Probably no one special at this point, but guys coming from P4 and maybe G6 schools seem like they might be worth a look?

So, refraining from any digs at our coaches, roster, AD or even P-2 Commissioner today (well maybe later with regards to Teresa), wondering where we stand in terms of roster, remaining holes, etc.

https://247sports.com/season/2025-football/transferportal/

 

[wsudefense]

I’m sure Jimmy has spoken to them so they can all stay in the portal for all I care. They will find out the hard way.

 

[Observer11]

There's going to be 'normal' attrition whether there is a portal or not.

Seems to me that historically, the Cougs lose about 25% of their recruiting class each year due to grades, injuries or just lack of talent to compete at the D-1 level. Projecting how an 17 year old will perform as a 22 year old is an inexact science.

The guys that have declared for the portal and are not getting picked up elsewhere effectively constitute that 25% - with a likelihood it is talent related.

The portal probably helps the Cougs in that regard by replacing with known talent.

 

[CougPatrol]

I had baked chicken and avocado for lunch today.

 

[95coug]

I see Gushiken still shows as uncommitted in the portal, as well as several other Cougs (the Roaten Bros, etc.). Thought I read a while back that they are gone. The portal site (below) seems pretty up to date. Lots of guys from other schools out there uncommitted as well. Probably no one special at this point, but guys coming from P4 and maybe G6 schools seem like they might be worth a look?

So, refraining from any digs at our coaches, roster, AD or even P-2 Commissioner today (well maybe later with regards to Teresa), wondering where we stand in terms of roster, remaining holes, etc.

https://247sports.com/season/2025-football/transferportal/

It’s been at least a full season, but I read somewhere that over half of the kids who enter the portal don’t find a new home. It’s effectively a retirement, because they don’t get picked up and their spot at their old school has been filled. At least half of the rest end up in the same situation the were trying to get out of…and only 10-15% actually improve their circumstances.

That seems to hold true for the kids who leave WSU. I think a lot of them end up with no chair when the music stops…and the same thing will happen again this season. Shouldn’t be a surprise - if you couldn’t rise up the depth chart at WSU in the last few seasons, odds are you’re not a FBS player.

 

[95coug]

I had baked chicken and avocado for lunch today.

Ok, that’s just gross

 

[Loyal Coug1]

I’m sure Jimmy has spoken to them so they can all stay in the portal for all I care. They will find out the hard way.

Thank you for your enlightening commentary.

Since Gushiken is from Hawaii, and started 11 games in 2024, he seems like a guy that we would want to have come back into the fold. He played in the bowl game.

Ooh wait, maybe he is gone.

Former Washington State DB Kapena Gushiken Visits Ole Miss and Leaves with an Offer - The Rebel Walk

Former Washington State defensive back Kapena Gushiken Visits Ole Miss and Leaves Oxford with an Offer

therebelwalk.com

Gophers offer Washington State transfer cornerback Kapena Gushiken

Gushiken is taking advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to former JUCO players.

www.si.com

 

[Wazzubrooz]

He got burned a lot this past year. Can he cover, I saw #4 getting beat consistently. If he walks, ok with me. We can find a better DB.

 

[Loyal Coug1]

He got burned a lot this past year. Can he cover, I saw #4 getting beat consistently. If he walks, ok with me. We can find a better DB.

Ok, while I also swore at Gushiken a few times this year, Ole Miss and Minnesota appear to like him since they appear to have offered. But yeah we'll find a better one.

 

[Coug90]

It’s been at least a full season, but I read somewhere that over half of the kids who enter the portal don’t find a new home. It’s effectively a retirement, because they don’t get picked up and their spot at their old school has been filled. At least half of the rest end up in the same situation the were trying to get out of…and only 10-15% actually improve their circumstances.

That seems to hold true for the kids who leave WSU. I think a lot of them end up with no chair when the music stops…and the same thing will happen again this season. Shouldn’t be a surprise - if you couldn’t rise up the depth chart at WSU in the last few seasons, odds are you’re not a FBS player.

Some pretty good players we’ve had who were on the verge of being stars were never heard from again. Kids getting bad advice and taking it from people they think are their friends. As a parent of two teenagers one of the daily battles.