WSU Football Recruiting: Linebackers Part 1 – OLB
By Nick Nordi
To finish off the defensive side of the ball on our recruiting position breakdown we start another two-part series, this time on the linebacker group. First up is the outside linebacker position, a position that graduated Travis Long who is now with the Philadelphia Eagles. Long was an anchor on the defense and will be hard shoes to fill which could be a good thing if an incoming player is willing and has the capabilities to step in and take hold of the defense.
Outside Linebackers
- Dwight Williams
Junipero Serra HS, Gardena, CA – 6’1″, 212 lbs
- Jamardre Cobb
Bishop Mora Salesian HS, Los Angeles, CA – 6’2″, 215 lbs
- Marquis Ware
Bishop Mora Salesian HS, Los Angeles, CA – 6’2″, 210 lbs
- Curtis Bolton
Vista Murrieta HS, Murrieta, CA – 6’2″, 215 lbs
- Raymon Minor
Benedictine HS, Richmond, VA – 6’4″, 215 lbs
- Machael Farmer
North HS, Edmond, OK – 6’2″, 215 lbs
- Dejon Brown
Mount San Jacinto, San Jacinto, CA – 6’3″, 225 lbs
Committed
- Greg Hoyd
Vista Murrieta HS, Murrieta, CA – 6’2″, 200 lbs
Washington State has already landed one linebacker commit for the 2014 class and are hoping to grab another one soon. On the roster right now for the Cougars there are 16 linebackers, 6 of which are Juniors or Seniors. The Cougars only got one outside linebacker for the 2013 class, Ivan McLennan, a 6-3, 220 lb JC transfer. With 16 linebackers already on the roster, getting more players at the position is not the top necessity for the team right now.
The Cougars linebacker commit for the 2014 class includes a big, physical, smart player in Greg Hoyd. Hoyd is also the teammate of three-star LB Curtis Bolton, another player that Mike Leach and staff are looking at.
The type of player that Leach is going after is evident just by looking at the sizes of the players being recruited. All but one of the players above are 6’2″ or taller and all weighing 200+ lbs. This type of big and physical player is taking over football as well as the Cougar football team. Look for Leach to land another linebacker in this class.