Washington State Football Recruiting: Big California OT Riley Sorenson Headed to the Palouse

November 3, 2012; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach speaks with an official during the first half against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Leach and Washington State received a huge verbal commitment on Monday night around 8 pm pst, quite literally. Offensive Tackle Riley Sorenson has given his allegiance to the Cougars as a surprise eleventh hour commit from Santa Margarita, CA. His teammate in high school, wideout River Cracraft, is a solid Coug commit and may have had a hand in bringing Sorenson to Pullman.

The big guy is largely considered to be one of the top linemen in the state of California and is incredibly strong and quick for his size (6’5″ 320). Looking at his Hudl Highlights, I think it’s safe to say that he’s a man amongst boys on the high school field and his talent could transfer very well to the college stage.

He has something that no Coug lineman had last season, the ability to stick a guy on the move in both the run game and passing game. His lateral quickness to pick up stunts is impressive and his leverage for a guy his size is technically sound. Honestly, he’s easily a four-star talent as he’ll be on the NFL Draft radar by the time he’s a junior.

Sorenson has been deciding between two schools since mid December, but neither was Washington State. The rival Washington Huskies were one team and they had already plucked Center Dane Crane from the Eagles, while the Cal Bears were seemingly even in the race. But something about WSU intrigued the young man and after talking to Leach and Mastro tonight he decided to be a Coug.

This commitment easily becomes a top 5 recruiting victory for Washington State, maybe all the way up to the 2nd biggest win, just behind Tyler Bruggman’s verbal. Especially considering that he instantly becomes the best lineman in the class and he was nowhere on our radar going into Signing Day.

He was also offered by SMU, Colorado, SDSU and others, but WSU was his first Pac-12 offer and that meant the most to him, even without an official visit. He did come to the Pullman campus back in the Spring of 2012, so he’s not site unseen.

As for the Huskies, they lost two big recruiting battles tonight, as they also lost out on MLB Reuben Foster to Alabama. As for Washington State, Sorenson’s commit comes on the heals of a lost commitment from S/WR Montrel Meander to Texas. Busy day, but I’ll take it!

Go Cougs!