WSU Football Recruiting: Cougs Snag 2014 Commit from Walk-On Punter Weilbacher

The Washington State Cougars get some good late recruiting news for the 2014 class, which is already mostly finished but still holds an open slot for a surprise position player, kicker or punter. Punter Jon Weilbacher has committed to the Cougars.

Turns out this particular commitment doesn’t utilize the remaining scholarship offer because Weilbacher is accepting a preferred walk-on offer from WSU. He is ranked the 28th best available punter in the nation by Chris Sailer Kicking.

This looks like a huge addition to a punting game that really struggled in 2013 for the Cougars, averaging only 38.61 yards per punt last season. Weilbacher only averaged about 38 yards as well, but the Cougars aren’t necessarily looking for a stronger leg as much as they are looking for consistency. Graduating punter Mike Bowlin probably had as strong a leg as you could hope for, but the constant shanks that were a large part of the punting game last season need to be erased.

Wes Concepcion came in and gave it a whirl, but he wasn’t any better than Bowlin in either distance nor consistency. Concepcion and Erik Powell are the only punter and kicker available. Both spots were therefore a priority this off-season and it looks like that part of the question has been answered.