Nov 16, 2013; Tucson, AZ, USA; Washington State Cougars offensive lineman John Fullington (77) stands on the field in between plays during the first quarter against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. The Cougars beat the Wildcats 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, one guy that for sure won’t be questioning his role with Washington State is Miguel Machado. At 6’6, 285 he is one of the more coveted offensive linemen in Cali, with offers from Purdue, Michigan State, Louisville, Illinois, Colorado State, Arkansas State and New Mexico, among others (more than 20 overall). That’s an impressive list.
With four departures of starters among the offensive line (John Fullington, Elliot Bosch, Rico Forbes, Matt Goetz), Machado will come in with a chance to participate immediately in the rotation.
It’s not as if he won’t be up against stiff competition however, with the likes of the previously mentioned Sorensen, 2013 JC signees Devonte Mclain and Jacob Seydel, along with the assumed insertion of freshman Carlos Freeman at center and inevitable size of 318 pound Eduardo Middleton and 345 pound Cody O’Connell, both of whom are also freshmen. That’s not even mentioning the three previously committed 2014 prospects, which include the two from earlier this week and 3-star prospect Sean Krepsz.
Still, Machado has three years to play two and gives the Cougars a full class of OL, exactly where Leach likes it. The BCS level offers are a huge bell-ringer among Cougars on the message boards right now and just think if he redshirts, he could bounce to well over 300 pounds and be a huge contributor in 2015. Either way he brings a nastiness to the line and more competition.
Its conceivable the Cougs might use one more class spot on a kid like 3-star Troy Bacon, who was previously committed to Boise State but is looking around since the departure of Chris Petersen to UW.
Bacon is now skipping his Pullman visit, per Cougfan as he no longer sees a spot for him.
But the real hope among the Coug faithful is that Kaleb McGary, the 6’8, 280 pounder out of Fife HS in Tacoma is the guy to take the (final) perceived spot up front. McGary is the elite 4-star prospect in the state at OL and there’s no doubt Leach will try and sew up his commitment this weekend.