Washington State Football: Five Impact Freshmen

Sept. 22, 2012; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars football team runs out before a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2013 recruiting class finally wrapped up, the Cougar fan base is extremely excited about next Fall, as are we here at ACU. According to Leach during his chats on Wednesday, there are several players that have a chance to make an impact on next year’s team. Here are the 5 that we think will be the most impactful. Note there are no JC signees on the list. (Here’s the Big Board if you want vitals on each and nearly all are linked to their full profile)

1: RB Gerard Wicks:

Wicks will undoubtedly get a shot at starting, but ultimately I think a 3rd down back to start the season and grows into a bigger role as the year unfolds. Wicks is powerful and has plenty of straight ahead style to pick up tough yards on 3rd down. He can also catch the ball in the flats and has plenty of wiggle to beat a linebacker in a one on one, open field situation. 

2: DE Paulo Lepua:

Lepua is a terrific athlete with the speed and power combo to be a starter. We’ll be seeing him on both sides and look out when he catches up to the game-speed of the Pac-12.

3: WR Robert Lewis:

Lewis is the kind of player that reminds me of “Black Mamba”. Leach is going to find interesting ways to get Lewis the ball, and matched with the rest of the Cougar receiving corps, the offense will be even more electric and multi-dimensional than last year.

4: OL Riley Sorenson: 

Sorenson is a legitimate starting prospect on the line. Big and powerful with quick feet and a propensity for being nasty. Leach’s kind of guy and I’m quite sure he will be in the mix early.

5: CB Daquawn Brown:

Brown brings the kind of coverage ability that the Cougs haven’t possessed in years in the defensive backfield. True, covering high school receivers is a whole different level than covering in the Pac-12 Conference. However I believe Brown will catch up with the speed of the game quickly and gives the Cougars the added element of size on the corner. Don’t be surprised if Brown steps in the starting role early and pushes Nolan Washington inside as a nickel.