Washington State Football Recruiting Nuggets: Commit Gerard Wicks Talks Future Cougs, WSU Run Game

Washington State’s verbally committed Gerard Wicks has an immediately intriguing nugget for Cougar fans who miss the run game, based on a talk he and Mike Leach had this past week, per CF.C:

"They’re going to try and run the ball more and he (Leach) thinks I can be their feature back. Hearing that from him was really exciting for me. Coach Leach said he can’t wait for me to get up there to be part of his system and get me involved as a Coug."

For Cougar fans that will probably be a bit of a breath of fresh air, seeing that several times in 2012 the ball control aspect of Leach’s coaching style was questioned. Wicks plans to be a big part of that, at least at this point he does. He says that there are several Cougar commits keeping in close contact about their future in the Pac-12 and the change they will be a part of at Washington State. WR River Cracraft (Santa Margarita), DB Daquawn Brown (L.A.) and QB Tyler Bruggman (Pheonix) were some of the most notable.

"It’s really exciting for us. I look forward to going up there with those guys knowing we’re from the same area. I think we all have the talent to do some big things for the future of Cougar football."

For now, that’s a really good sign that things are pretty solid for the Cougar verbal commits at this point. Still, several of those are taking multiple other visits and minds can be changed if the right situation and/or atmosphere is presented to them. Wicks himself is still high on Boise State and Fresno State, though he remains fully committed for the time being to WSU.

Gerard Wicks and his Long Beach Poly teammates came up an extra point short in their State Championship game last night, 21-20. Wicks had only 19 yards on 12 carries but caught a 39 yard flea flicker touchdown in the first quarter which can only add to his versatility in the Air Raid.

He finished with over 1500 yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground this season and played against very good competition. Among his opponents were powerhouse Mater Dei, Mission Viejo (ranked 4th in the nation) and Fresno’s Clover North.

Go Cougs!