Washington State University’s Cougars took the field on Thursday at Rogers Field in Pullman, kicking off a 15‑practice preseason regimen that will culminate in the season opener against the University of Washington in just over a month.
A new era in Pullman
First‑year head coach Kirby Moore, who arrived from Missouri where he helped orchestrate an eighth‑ranked rushing attack, has instilled a sense of purpose that permeates the locker room.
At the center of the offensive conversation is quarterback Caden Pinnick, the reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year whose 3,206 passing yards and 32 touchdowns last season at UC Davis have made him the clear favorite to start, even as an unofficial three‑way battle with Owen Eshelman and Julian Dugger simmers.
Pinnick’s dual‑threat profile — he added 437 rushing yards and three touchdowns a year ago — offers the Cougars a dynamic weapon that could stretch defenses and sustain drives.
Running backs and line continuity
The backfield brings continuity, with all three of last season’s top running backs — Kirby Vorhees, Maxwell Woods and Leo Pulalasi — returning, while Woods showcased his big‑game pedigree in the Potato Bowl, rushing for 117 yards and adding three catches.
Along the line, veterans Jonny Lester, Ashton Tripp, Noah Dunham and Kyle Martin anchor the unit, though competition at left tackle between Jaylin Caldwell and UW transfer Maximus McCree could shape the protection scheme.
Defensive reshaping and newcomers
Defensively, coordinator Trent Bray will rely on a linebacker corps that blends returning starter Keith Brown with transfers Nylan Brown and DJ Warner, while wide receiver Tony Freeman’s 54‑catch, 590‑yard production provides a proven target for a unit still finding its identity.
The defensive side also welcomes newcomers such as Tank Hawkins, a four‑star recruit from Florida whose track speed promises explosiveness, and Darrius Clemons, who transferred from Michigan to Oregon State before sitting out the 2025 campaign with an eye toward a 2026 breakout.
Mid‑season additions like Isaiah Hung, a redshirt freshman linebacker from Liberty, Missouri, illustrate the ripple effect of recent coaching changes, as the transfer portal has bolstered depth across the roster.
Looking ahead to the Pac‑12 debut
The upcoming season will mark the first year of the revamped Pac‑12 Conference, a league reshaped by realignment and poised to test the Cougars’ preparedness when they finally meet Washington on the field.