Draft Scout Washington State Player News, College Football: Washington State

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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Washington State

Previous 15 Notes

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11/12/22 - Nakia Watson, rSr/2024, Washington State + More +

Nakia Watson ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns as Washington State beat Arizona State 28-18 on Saturday to qualify for a bowl game for the seventh time in the past eight seasons. Cameron Ward completed 22 of 37 passes for 219 yards for Washington State (6-4, 3-4 Pac-12), whose defense came in leading the conference in fewest points allowed per game at 20 and managed to stifle the Sun Devils until late in the contest. Watson rushed for a career-high 166 yards last weekend in WSU's 52-14 win at Stanford. Emory Jones relieved Trenton Bourguet at quarterback in the first half and completed 15 of 23 passes for 186 yards and two touchdowns for Arizona State (3-7, 2-5), which was playing in chilly and foggy Pullman for the first time since 2015. Xazavian Valladay rushed for 134 yards and a touchdown for the Sun Devils. Washington State scored first, on a 2-yard run up the middle by Watson, midway through the first quarter.

Washington State's Leyton Smithson caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Ward on their next series, but the conversion kick was blocked and the Cougars led 13-0. Watson had a 20-yard run and a 35-yard pass reception on the drive. Washington State drove to the ASU 2 on its next possession, but Ward's pass on fourth down was broken up by Ed Woods and the Cougars turned the ball over on downs. Arizona State punted on its first four drives. Arizona State's fifth drive ended when Bourguet was intercepted by Chau Smith-Wade, who returned the ball to the 4-yard line. Watson bulled over for a touchdown and Smithson caught the conversion pass to give Washington State a 21-0 lead. Jones replaced Bourguet on the next drive, but the Sun Devils punted again. Watson scored his third touchdown of the first half on a 2-yard run on Washington State's next drive, and the Cougars led 28-0 at halftime. The Cougars did not score in the second half. - Washington State/AP College Football

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RB Nakia Watson, Washington State
News Source: Washington State/AP College Football
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11/08/22 - Jaden Hicks, rSo/2024, Washington State + More +

NOV 7 PAC-12 FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK: Jaden Hicks, RS Fr., Safety, Washington State (Las Vegas, Nev.),..All over the field for WSU in its win at Stanford, collecting 6 tackles, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hurry...Midway through the 2nd quarter, he picked up a fumble and raced 17 yards for a touchdown, giving WSU a 28-7 lead...As a redshirt-freshman, Hicks is second on the team in tackles at 6.44 per game, which is 14th-best in the Pac-12 and tops among Pac-12 freshmen...1st defensive player to win Freshman of the Week this season. Just the 2nd Washington State player to win this honor since the award was created prior to the 2019 season (Jayden de Laura). Also nominated: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Colorado; Nate Johnson, QB, Utah; Damien Martinez, RB, Oregon State; Jaylin Davies, DB, UCLA; Josh Conerly Jr., OL, Oregon. - Pac-12 Football

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SS Jaden Hicks, Washington State
News Source: Pac-12 Football
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09/19/22 - Daiyan Henley, rSr/2023, Washington State + More +

SEPT 12 PAC-12 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Daiyan Henley, RS Sr., LB, Washington State (Los Angeles, Calif.),...Had a huge day in WSU's 38-7 victory over Colorado State, registering a game-high 13 tackles, five solo, 3 sacks and two forced fumbles...As he did against Wisconsin the previous week, he started fast with five tackles, including a sack, in the first quarter...Led a Cougar defense that held Colorado State to a late-game touchdown and just 249 total yards on offense.

Ranks fourth in the Pac-12 in tackles and leads or tied for the lead in sacks, tackles-for-loss and forced fumbles...Per PFF, had the second-best linebacker defensive grade in the country in Week 3, and the best in the Pac-12. Also had the best overall defensive grade in the Pac-12 last week. Owns the best defensive grade among all Pac-12 players for the season...First WSU player to take home this award this season after three different Cougars won it last year (George Hicks III, Jahad Woods and Armani Marsh) including the final two weeks of the season. Also nominated: Karene Reid, LB, Utah; Brandon Dorlus, DE, Oregon; Jerry Roberts, LB, Arizona; Solomon Byrd, DL, USC; Darius Muasau, LB, UCLA; Rejzohn Wright, DB, Oregon State. - Pac-12 Football

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ILB Daiyan Henley, Washington State
News Source: Pac-12 Football
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09/13/22 - Renard Bell, rSr/2023, Washington State + More +

SEPT 12 PAC-12 SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Renard Bell, 6th Yr., WR/KR, Washington State (Los Angeles, Calif.),...Bell returned two kickoffs for a total of 82 yards, 41.0 ypr. He added two receptions for 49 yards on the day...His 73-yard return to open the second half sparked WSU as the Cougar offense capitalized on great field position and capped a 7-play, 18-yard drive with a field goal to cut Wisconsin's lead to 4 at 14-10...The 73-yard kickoff return was a career-long for the sixth-year senior...First time winning this award and first WSU player to earn this honor since punter Dean Janikowski took it home in the final week of last season. The last kick returner to win for the Cougars was Travell Harris in Week 2 of 2021. Also nominated: Luke Loecher, P, Oregon State; Jordan Noyes, K, Utah; Kyle Ostendorp, P, Arizona; Alex Stadthaus, PK, USC. - Pac-12 Football

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WR Renard Bell, Washington State
News Source: Pac-12 Football
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09/10/22 - Nakia Watson, rSr/2024, Washington State + More +

Nakia Watson scored two touchdowns against his former team as Washington State beat No. 19 Wisconsin 17-14 on Saturday. Watson scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter and put the Cougars (2-0) ahead for good by turning a short completion into a 31-yard score with 5:12 left in the third quarter. Watson rushed for 522 yards and five touchdowns at Wisconsin from 2019-20 before transferring. "He represented himself and all the work he's put in," Washington State coach Jake Dickert said. "I'm proud of him." A game that featured three turnovers by each team and multiple bizarre plays produced a happy homecoming for Dickert.

Dickert was born in the Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha, Wisconsin, about 65 miles east of Camp Randall Stadium. Dickert played for Wisconsin-Stevens Point from 2002-06, and about 200 friends and relatives gathered for a pregame tailgate Saturday. "My grandma told me something today, your grandpa would be so proud if my grandpa was still here," Dickert said. "That's a special moment. Special people that just know me as Jake Dickert. That's always what we've been. I'm just proud to be able to win this game with all of them here cheering us on." This game featured two separate plays in which one team intercepted a pass and then fumbled the ball away, creating a first down for the team that threw the pick. Wisconsin (1-1) trailed 17-14 and faced third-and-6 from the Washington State 9 midway through the fourth quarter when defensive tackle Christian Mejia picked off a Graham Mertz pass before losing the football. Wisconsin recovered at the Washington State 20, but a personal foul on Badgers tight end Clay Cundiff after the play pushed them back to the 35. Cundiff then caught a 24-yard pass, but Quinn Roff forced a fumble that Sam Lockett III recovered at the 12 with 5:14 left. Washington State never gave up possession the rest of the way. - Washington State/AP College Football

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RB Nakia Watson, Washington State
News Source: Washington State/AP College Football
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08/17/22 - Ron Stone Jr., rSr/2024, Washington State + More +

2022 PRESEASON ROTARY LOMBARDI AWARD WATCHLIST: Ron Stone Jr., Washington State, Rs Jr Edge,...Stone Jr. earned his first career All-Pac-12 Conference honor last season after making 11.5 tackles-for-loss, tied for fourth in the conference, and tied for eighth in the league with five sacks. The redshirt-senior from San Jose, Calif. recorded a tackle-for-loss in eight games in 2021, including a season-high three at Utah and tallied a sack in four-straight games, helping WSU to three-straight wins during that stretch. This summer, Stone Jr. has been named to the Preseason All-Pac-12 First Team, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, given to the college football Defensive Player of the Year and the Bednarik Award Watch List, given to the outstanding defensive player in college football. - Washington State Football

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OLB Ron Stone Jr., Washington State
News Source: Washington State Football
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08/16/22 - Naim Rodman, rSr/2024, Washington State + More +

Don't try to warn Na'im Rodman about hitting any sort of mid-training camp wall. Football, and the encouraging depth Rodman believes is being built along Colorado's defensive interior, will be more than enough motivation to power through the midpoint of camp. On Saturday, head coach Karl Dorrell put the Buffaloes through a scrimmage at Folsom Field. The week ahead marks the midpoint of the preseason grind, with Saturday's workout counting as practice No. 10 of 25 for CU ahead of the Sept. 2 opener at Folsom against TCU. It can be a demanding portion of the calendar.

The opening buzz spurred by the start of camp has faded. Opening night remains weeks away. Yet for Rodman, one of the most experienced players along CU's defensive front, the promise of an improved season is helping the group keep their focus narrowed on daily goals. "I love playing football. So it's easy to wake up and come to practice every day," Rodman said. "It's more like the challenge is to not look so far ahead. I've just got to focus on what I've got to do today." Defensive coordinator Chris Wilson has maintained the Buffs' shift to a 4-3 front this year from a base 3-4 formation was decided in part to make the best use of the talent on the roster. There arguably is not a better combination of depth and experience among any of the Buffs' position groups than along the defensive front. Rodman has played in all 30 of CU's games since he came to Boulder as a true freshman in 2019, with nine starts. - Daily Camera

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DT Naim Rodman, Washington State
News Source: Daily Camera
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08/08/22 - Maake Fifita, rSr/2025, Washington State + More +

Washington State right tackle Ma'ake Fifita sustained what appeared to be either a foot or ankle injury when he found himself at the bottom of a pileup Friday. The sophomore from Everett, a starting guard last year who shifted to tackle this spring, sat on the turf and spoke with trainers for about 5 minutes before being helped upright. Fifita put some weight on his foot for a moment, then sat on the back of a cart and was transported off the field. Jack Wilson, the 6-foot-11 former Idaho and Oregon State basketball player, replaced Fifita in the Cougs' first unit. Rodrick Tialavea, a sophomore who is competing for a backup role at guard, went down with an unspecified lower-body injury shorty after Fifita. Tialavea was also carted off the field. Dickert did not speak with the media after practice, so it's uncertain how serious the injuries are. - Spokesman Review

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OG Maake Fifita, Washington State
News Source: Spokesman Review
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08/04/22 - Simon Samarzich, rSr/2024, Washington State + More +

2022 PRESEASON PATRICK MANNELLY AWARD WATCHLIST: Simon Samarzich, Washington State,...Samarzich started all 13 games as the long snapper on punt last season and recorded three tackles including two against USC and one in the win over Arizona. The fourth-year junior from Upland, Calif. is a two-time Pac-12 Conference Fall Honor Roll selection. The winner must be of senior standing, have started 75% of games in his senior year, snap on punts and placements, and demonstrate a strong mentality, notable athleticism, as well as speed, accuracy and consistency in their snaps. - Washington State Football

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LS Simon Samarzich, Washington State
News Source: Washington State Football
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08/04/22 - Ron Stone Jr., rSr/2024, Washington State + More +

2022 PRESEASON CHUCK BEDNARIK AWARD WATCH LIST: Ron Stone, Washington State, Junior DE,...Stone Jr. earned his first career All-Pac-12 Conference honor last season after making 11.5 tackles-for-loss, tied for fourth in the conference, and tied for eighth in the league with five sacks. The redshirt-senior from San Jose, Calif. recorded a tackle-for-loss in eight games in 2021, including a season-high three at Utah and tallied a sack in four-straight games, helping WSU to three-straight wins during that stretch. - Washington State Football

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OLB Ron Stone Jr., Washington State
News Source: Washington State Football
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07/28/22 - Ron Stone Jr., rSr/2024, Washington State + More +

2022 PRESEASON BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY WATCHLIST: DE Ron Stone Jr., Washington State,...Stone Jr. earned his first career All-Pac-12 honor last season after making 11.5 tackles-for-loss, tied for fourth in the conference, and tied for eighth in the league with five sacks. The redshirt-senior from San Jose, Calif. recorded a tackle-for-loss in eight games in 2021, including a season-high three at Utah and tallied a sack in four-straight games, helping WSU to three-straight wins during that stretch. - Washington State Football

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OLB Ron Stone Jr., Washington State
News Source: Washington State Football
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07/28/22 - Daiyan Henley, rSr/2023, Washington State + More +

2022 PRESEASON BUTKUS AWARD WATCHLIST: Daiyan Henley, Washington State,...Henley is set to begin his first season at Washington State after transferring from Nevada where he earned All-Mountain West Conference second-team honors last season. The Los Angeles native led the Wolfpack with 103 tackles including three for loss with four interceptions, three fumble recoveries, four pass breakups and five double-digit tackle efforts. - Washington State Football

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ILB Daiyan Henley, Washington State
News Source: Washington State Football
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07/23/22 - Mitchell Quinn, rSr/2023, Washington State + More +

Mitchell Quinn, a reserve wide receiver for Washington State's football team, has entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to a report Tuesday from Rivals.com. Quinn appeared in 16 games as a Cougar. The 5-11, 175-pounder from Honolulu signed with WSU as a preferred walk-on ahead of the 2018 season and redshirted as a true freshman. Quinn rarely played over the next two seasons but earned a scholarship during fall camp in 2021 and saw action in 11 games last year, totaling 29 yards on two receptions - his first and only two collegiate catches so far. - Spokesman-Review

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WR Mitchell Quinn, Washington State
News Source: Spokesman-Review
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06/11/22 - Kyle Williams, rSr/2025, Washington State + More +

The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education is helping fund a third-party name, image and likeness program to financially benefit UNLV athletes. Bill Paulos, a longtime Las Vegas business executive and UNLV men's basketball booster, chairs the program called "Friends of UNILV." Blueprint Sports, founded in 2020 in Las Vegas with Agassi's financial backing, oversees the NIL program. Agassi's contribution was not disclosed. "The ability for Blueprint to work alongside Bill Paulos and the rest of the leadership for Friends of UNILV will bring equity and parity to student-athletes of all sports at UNLV," the tennis Hall of Famer and Las Vegas native said in a statement. "These student-athletes have worked tirelessly throughout their career to become a member of a Division I team, and I am excited to be a part of helping them learn about business and life with their personal brands."

Paulos said more than $150,000 has been raised since the program began in October, with more than $80,000 having been distributed to athletes through deals with businesses and nonprofit organizations. A new website will go online next week that will help connect athletes with business opportunities. Nevada law doesn't allow programs such as "Friends of UNILV" to coordinate with UNLV to establish NIL deals, though a state committee has been established to study the issue. Each state has its own set of laws regarding NIL, which has become a key recruiting tool in college sports. - Las Vegas Review Journal

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WR Kyle Williams, Washington State
News Source: Las Vegas Review Journal
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06/06/22 - Kasen Kinchen, rJr/2026, Washington State + More +

Cornerback Kasen Kinchin tweeted that he will transfer from Washington to Washington State. The Lake Stevens, Washington, native and former UW cornerback spent the past two seasons with the Huskies but didn't appear in a game and entered the transfer portal in April. The 5-foot-10, 175-pounder signed with UW in June 2020 as a three-star recruit (247Sports) and a top-20 prep prospect in the Evergreen State. He picked the Seattle school over reported offers from Oregon and Cal. - Spokesman-Review

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