Who inked to come join in 2025?
Hello one, hello all, welcome welcome welcome to the Class of 2025 coverage brought to you by the three dirty chai lattes I’ve consumed while writing this!
Today, your Washington State Cougars celebrate the newest Cougs to ink their names in the history of our program forever!
Let’s wander down the list, shall we?
*Star rating reflects 247 Sports’ composite ranking, and links back to their 247 Sports recruiting profile.
Letter of Intent Received:
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Steele Pizzella: QB | ✯✯✯ (0.8517) | 5’11, 165 | Sherman Oaks, CA
A name iconic in it’s own right, WSU picks up their QB for the Class of 2025. With a name like that, this author believes he’ll be the one to lead us all the way. One of the top dual threat QBs in California, he’s got 3,650 total yards in his high school career – with 29 passing touchdowns and 237.3 yards per game. -
Cash Landeau: TE | ✯✯✯ (0.84) | 6’4, 230lbs | Portland, OR
The tight end racked up 2,000 career yards, 29 touchdowns and averages 15 yards per carry. He was the 2023 Oregon 6A touchdown leader, and is credited by Oregon Live as one of the top receivers to come out of Oregon. A flexible athlete who will likely develop well as WSU leans further into utilizing the tight end position. -
David Kuku: CB | ✯✯✯ (0.8617) | 6’0, 230lbs | Kennewick, WA
A cornerback from our state, Kuku has been all in on the Cougs since July. During his Junior season, Kuku racked up 14 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns over the course of nine games. He also recorded an interception. He’s looking forward to staying close to home. -
Jovan Clark: Safety | ✯✯✯ (0.8681) | 6’0, 195lbs | Chicago, IL
With six sacks, 92 career tackles averaging 8.4 per game – Clark heads to the Palouse ready to eat. He’s averaging 1.8 sacks per game, two interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. This is a huge grab defensively for the Cougs. During his senior season he led the team with 92 tackles, 13 for loss. He’ll enroll in January to participate in spring practice, so keep an eye out for him. -
Jack Foley: WR | ✯✯✯ (0.8589) | 6’4, 195 | Bend, OR
During his junior season, Foley caught 42 passes for 728 yards, and grew his senior season to secure 52 passes for 1,192 yards. He was named the fifth-best prospect to come out of Oregon, and will likely put up massive numbers for WSU. Foley will also enroll in January to practice in the spring. -
Luke Webb: Edge | ✯✯✯ (0.8508) | 6’2, 230 | Camas, WA
According to his MaxPreps profile, Webb can flex between running back, tight end, and linebacker. This versatility will bode well for the Cougs as they snag the Camas Native. 155 total tackles, 16 sacks, 54 solo tackles over his impressive career. He’s also got special teams experience, running the ball 22 yards on a kick return. -
Malijah Tucker: DL | ✯✯✯ (0.8494) | 6’1, 295 | Olympia, WA
Tucker had a particularly impressive 2022 season at noseguard which included 18 tackles for loss, 8 sacks – and was one of the first to commit to WSU. He also has track and field experience, after deciding to try his hand at the 100 meter dash. He nailed a 12.6 second time for the dash, which is irregular for his size. Note: the average time is 12 seconds for a high school track athlete. A big, speedy guy will surely aid the Cougar Defense. -
Kyle Peterson: Safety | ✯✯✯ (0.8592) | 6’0, 185 | Pearland, TX
Peterson is another player who will head to Pullman in January to get warmed up during the cold months for spring practice. During his senior season, he totaled 48 tackles and defended 6 passes. His junior year, he had 50 tackles and four interceptions. Peterson will no doubt add more depth on the defensive side of the ball as well. -
Aidan Martin: OT | ✯✯✯ (0.8358) | 6’5, 255 | Denver, CO
Martin is the definition of a team player. 3 solo tackles and 14 assists, along with 16 yards on one single carry. He is flexible on each side of the ball, and will be an asset to the Cougs in terms of size and blocking ability. On defense, he had 3 sacks for 6 yards lost. He was rated the #10 prospect in Colorado by Sports Illustrated. -
Sean Embree: WR | ✯✯✯ (0.8450) | 6’4, 165 | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Averaging 18 yards per carry, 1,242 career yards with 51.8 per game, Embree is a huge snag for the wide receiver room. During his junior season, he slid over to defense and managed to recover a fumble- what can’t this guy do? 11 touchdowns, 18 points during his senior season alone, and his height makes this an exciting prospect. -
Jamar Searcy: ATH | ✯✯✯ (0.8469) | 5’8, 180 | Pittsburg, CA
Searcy is a two-way athlete who joins Washington State with 1,414 yards in his pocket. He averaged 108.8 yards per game, 18/22 runs. On defense, he had 31 solo tackles his senior season, assisted on 11, with one for loss. On special teams, he averaged 25.7 yards with 257 total his senior season, and 291 yards on kick returns. According to the WSU website, he’ll join the team as a running back, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if his talents are spread out wherever he’s needed. -
Lucan Amituanai: Edge | ✯✯✯ (0.8416) | 6’4, 220 | Elk Grove, CA
Amituanai is a versatile player who joins WSU as an Edge, although he has experience as a tight end as well. During his senior season he racked up 68 tackles and 10 sacks. He made a jump between his junior season, where he recorded 16 solo tackles and assisted on 10. -
Ishmael Gibbs: CB | ✯✯✯ (0.8517) | 5’11, 160 | West Hills, CA
Along with his impressive football line (we’ll get to that in a moment), Gibbs brings speed to the table with his 10.6 second 100m track time. The cornerback committed to WSU in June, and brings 40 solo tackles, 85 total, and 5 interceptions to the Palouse. He scored two touchdowns his junior season, and averaged 15.1 yards on kick returns. -
Jamarey Smith: Safety | ✯✯✯ (0.8444) | 6’2, 180 | Westlake Village, CA
Two interceptions, 46 solo tackles, 60 total, averaging five per game are just a few accolades Smith brings to WSU. A varsity player his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons helped him make significant improvements to his game over the years. In his senior season alone, he accumulated 87 yards over two interceptions. -
AJ Tuitele: LB | ✯✯✯ (0.8448) | 6’3, 205 | North Las Vegas, NV
In his senior season alone, 13 games, he had 53 solo tackles, assisted on 143 (not a typo) for 196 total tackles. 39 of which ended in yards lost, and had 5 sacks. His sheer size will be an undeniable asset, and his stat line speaks for itself. This is a great grab for Washington State. And! His first name is Albert. Which rules. -
Liam Vaughan: IOL | ✯✯✯ (0.8444) | 6’2, 280 | Walled Lake, MI
Vaughan has an impressive resume both on and off the football field – a 2023 Michigan State Champion Anvil Award finalist, All-State Football, 2024 1st Team All-State for wrestling, and a 2024 Shot Put State qualifier. On the field, he averaged two tackles per game, for yards lost. -
Aiden Knapke: Safety | ✯✯✯ (0.8483) | 6’0, 190 | Englewood, CO
Knapke is another player who will head to Pullman in January for spring practices. On varsity all four years of high school, Knapke had 318 career tackles, 133 solo, and 15 interceptions, one of which he ran back for 90 yards. His sophomore season, he had 112 yards on kick returns. -
Peyton Read: TE | ✯✯✯ (0.84) | 6’6, 210 | Portland, OR
Another out of my hometown, Read heads to the Palouse with 41 total tackles under his belt, 4 sacks, and that’s just on defense. Offensively, he racked up 622 career yards, averaging 11.5. He scored 4 touchdowns in 9 games played his senior year, and was averaging 54.4 yards per game his senior season. Another excellent tight end joining the squad! -
Josiah Pratt: DL | ✯✯✯ (0.8392) | 6’0. 305 | Humble, TX
This is another face you’re likely to see come January for spring practices. The lineman totaled 62 tackles, 49 solo, and had 4 sacks. His season best was 10 tackles and two sacks in one game. He also has two fumble recoveries in one game under his belt- and is sure to be a great grab defensively for the Cougs. -
Arion Williams: IOL | ✯✯✯ (0.8425) | 6’3, 270 | Orange, CA
Williams is a solid team player joining the offensive line. Named All-Trinity League First Team his junior season, and named to the Preseason All-Orange County Team his senior season. He lettered three times, and chose WSU over Boise State, Hawaii, Fresno State, and Utah. -
Gaylon McNeal Jr.: Safety | ✯✯✯ (0.83) | 5’11, 175 | Forth Worth, TX
McNeal played varsity all four years of high school, and is another solid team player. He has experience at cornerback and wide receiver, but comes to WSU as a defensive back. He had 29 solo tackles, 43 career, and one interception for 27 yards. His versatility will come in handy for the Cougs for sure. -
Noah Westbrook: WR | ✯✯✯ (0.8458) | 6’2, 210 | Corona, CA
During his junior season, he had 27 passes for 469 yards and 9 touchdowns. Another prospect to letter all four years, he averaged 36.7 yards per game, with 1,102 career yards. His jump to his senior season landed him 30 receptions for 413 yards, averaging 13.8 per carry. -
Turner Bertrand: OT | 6’7.5, 210 | Kearney, NE
Bertrand lent his talents to the basketball team as well as football, which makes sense when you take a look at his height. The next Jack Wilson, maybe? In his junior season, he was named one of Nebraska’s top offensive linemen by Sports Illustrated. While he doesn’t have an official rating, his size is sure to intimidate opponents, and perhaps he can be convinced to lend his talents to David Riley and the WSU men’s basketball team!
De-Commits:
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Austin Simmons: TE | ✯✯✯ (0.8608) | 6’5, 220 | Albany, OR
Signed with University of Washington. -
Braylan McDonald: ATH | ✯✯✯ (0.8550) | 5’11, 185 | Lancaster, TX
Signed with Texas Tech. -
Charger Doty: Safety | ✯✯✯ (0.8539) | 6’0, 195 | South Jordan, UT
Warm interest in Utah State. -
Brayden Walton: OT | ✯✯✯ (0.8403) | 6’7, 320 | Clovis, CA
Hard commit to Fresno State.
All of this information is accurate as of 3pm 12/4/2024. We will update as needed.
Welcome aboard, new friends! We’ll take good care of you – can’t wait to see how the program shapes. Go Cougs!