Coug LOI’s: NT Daniel Etuale Signs With Washington State
By Josh Davis
School: Pago Pago (American Samoa)
Position: Defensive Nose Tackle
Vitals: 6’5″, 290 lbs
Rank:
- Rivals: NR
- Scout: #94
- ESPN: NR
- 247Sports: #59
Other Offers of Interest: Hawaii, Oregon, Oregon State, Washington
Best Attributes: Size, Strength
Prediction & How He Improves Cougars in 2013:
Daniel Etuale provides more size to a previously undersized Washington State defensive line. He’s bulked up (or fattened up if you will) to a healthy 290 lbs after playing at 25 lbs lighter in high school while playing tight end. The Cougs are excited about his speed, especially at his size for a NT. Hawaii and a host of NW schools were after him, but he decided the Palouse was his calling.
It was important that WSU got this commitment, because they need a guy that can add pass rushing to the interior of the defensive line, and Etuale accomplishes that personnel goal. He will probably be a situational, pass rushing DT if he does indeed get on the field in 2013. I’m not too convinced he won’t redshirt because he is more or less a project kid who hasn’t played high level athletes yet.
He’s going to be getting used to his size and the NT position in the 3-4 defense, but his athleticism might make it really hard to keep him off the field by mid-season or so, especially on a Cougar line that was lacking of that last season.
All Coug’d Up Recruit Grade: 3
Highlights:
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