Oct 12, 2013; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars wide receiver Vince Mayle (1) makes a catch against Oregon State Beavers cornerback Malcolm Marable (22) during the second half at Martin Stadium. The Beavers beat the Cougars 52-24. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Big time receiver Vince Mayle has been an absolute gem for the Washington State Cougar football team this season. The junior college transfer came in with a situation where there was a possibility of playing only one season, but it looks like it will soon become official that he’ll be back for the Cougs in 2014.
There has been a whole lot of speculation that the NCAA might not come up with a decision for a while, which probably would have been a bad thing. Yet here we are, shortly after the waiver appeal was turned in!
This is huge for Washington State recruiting, as they get a bonafide receiver back, which means they will return the entire starting lineup next season. The 6’3, 240 pound Mayle is 2nd on the team with 32 receptions and 5 touchdowns, and 3rd with 423 yards.
Oct 5, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; Washington State Cougars receiver Vince Mayle (1) celebrates with teammate Gabe Marks (9) after scoring on a 73-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Washington State defeated California 44-22. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
He started off slower than he would have liked and I think slower than any of us expected, struggling with a case of the “dropsies” in Fall ball, then not really transitioning to the speed of the game through a few weeks into the season.
But ever since he made a phenomenal stumbling catch for a touchdown and then ran over a Cal safety later in the same game, he’s been a very reliable target for quarterback Connor Halliday and a quickly growing love of the Pullman community.
Last week, battling through food poisoning, Mayle made 5 catches for 50 yards, 3 of which went for first downs. He was also targeted once in the end zone on a fade, which is becoming a regularity, even though the ball was knocked down by the Arizona corner.
Vince had other choices on schools where he could have been seen, especially with the possibility of one year to have a shot at the NFL being a setback. From what we heard, LSU called late, Ohio State called late. Honorable to his commitments however, Mayle said “no thanks” to the public appeal and notoriety that those schools offer to a big-time receiver.
It’s those same commitments that had him in this position in the first place. The NCAA was honorable in this case and thankfully Washington State fans will get to cheer for this #1 for one more season!
For now, he’ll get to skip the roses of senior day for a run at the Roses next season. Not that he’s thinking about that right now, as the Cougs are still trying to run it to six wins against Utah tomorrow.
GO COUGS!
*Update: it’s official, via WSU Athletics
"Vince Mayle Granted Additional Year of EligibilityPULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University senior football student-athlete Vince Mayle has been granted an additional year of eligibility by the NCAA, the university announced today.Mayle, a wide receiver from Sacramento, Calif., is in his first season in Pullman. He has played in all 10 games, catching 32 passes for 423 yards and five touchdowns, including a two-touchdown, 113-yard performance in the Cougars’ victory at Cal. Prior to WSU, Mayle’s two previous competitive college seasons had been in basketball at Shasta Community College(2009-10) and football at Sierra College (2012). Following an appeal process to receive an additional year, the NCAA approved the request today."