Washington State Football Recruiting Nuggets: Early Defensive Position Analysis – Linebackers

Sep 14, 2012; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UNLV Rebels wide receiver Anthony Williams (6) is tackled by Washington State Cougars linebacker Darryl Monroe (13) and safety Anthony Carpenter (4) during the fourth quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

National Signing Day will commence Feb. 6th, which means that there is still a lot of movement to look forward to over the next month plus on the recruiting trail. After looking at the Offensive positions last week, we’re going to rundown the defensive side of things this week in three parts. Let’s continue looking at the front 7 with the new Linebacking Corps.

• Lyman Faoliu brings more athleticism to the DE position. He is much like Lepua from our D-line preview but this kid is Pac-12 ready today because he won’t have to adjust positions and he is two more years mature. He goes about 6’2″ 275, and has tremendous instincts and quickness to get to the ball. I see him fitting in immediately with Logan Mayes in a BUCK/DE role. Faoliu will bring immediate versatility and production to the Cougar defense next season, just like Justin Sagote did this season. The two are even from the same JC in San Mateo.
• Ivan Mclennan was another HUGE JC pickup for the WSU coaching staff and gives a load of versatility to the linebacking corps in 2013. Mclennan won’t start in my estimation but he will see plenty of time in a rotation with the LBs. a 6’3″ 220 backer, he has the instincts to play in the middle and the speed and quickness to play outside. Miami tried to steal him in the eleventh hour but couldn’t do it. Mclennan wants to be part of something special at Washington State.
• Peyton Pelluer is another large find for the Cougs and is quite simply, a tackling machine. With 176 and 153 tackles his junior and sophomore years, he just knows how to find his way to the ball. Pelluer may quickly remind people of the great Will Derting and could fit right in alongside another young tackling standout, Darryl Monroe.