Oct 31, 2013; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars cheerleaders before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
While thousands of students will leave the Palouse to enjoy their Winter Break, WSU will be welcoming the arrival of two highly rated offensive recruits this weekend.
Four star lineman Kaleb McGary and three star running back Devante Downs will be taking official visits to WSU this weekend and will learn more about what the University/football program has to offer.
McGary showed high interest in the University of Washington, however with Steve Sarkisian leaving the Huskies, he has lost some interest with UW and is exploring his options.
“I feel that he (Steve Sarkisian) told me one thing and did another,” McGary said in a interview with scout.com. “It disappoints me. I had thought he was in it for different reasons.”
Now with UW being high on McGary’s list, it’s time for the Mike Leach and the Cougars to make up some ground this weekend and convince McGary to lean in the direction of dawning Crimson and Gray. He is ranked as the No. 26 offensive tackle in the 2014 recruiting class, according to cougfan.com. He holds multiple offers, but right now said Oregon State and Washington are his top two schools. Kaleb said in his interview with cougfan the reason why Oregon State and Washington are at the top of his list is because of the how familiar he is with both schools.
With the events unfolding at Washington and Boise State, McGary (6’8″ 280 pounds) has shown more interest in the Cougars.
"“They (WSU) were off my radar just a little bit,” McGary said. “But with all the changes… they’re really a place worth taking a look at, whether I end up there or not.”"
With four starting offensive linemen departing after this season, it results in an opportunity for McGary to come in and have the possibility of playing right away, which is another pitch Leach can use in his attempt to persuade the Fife offensive lineman to choose WSU.
Three star running back Devante Downs is another player that Leach and the Cougars will host this weekend. Downs has given a soft-verbal commitment to California. With home visits from WSU, Oregon State and California already, Downs said he’s still committed to California.
“I thought Coach Leach was cool and my parents also liked Coach Leach,” Downs said in an interview with cougfan.com on his home visit with WSU. “I don’t know long they were here for but it was a long time. They talked about how I’m a priority for them, how I should be a part of something special that they’re building there.”
Downs said that the main reasons why he’s committed to California is the quality of their Chemistry and Pharmacy schools. However Downs said with him visiting different schools like WSU and OSU, his interest of Cal could change. After visiting the Palouse this weekend, Downs said his official decision on where to play college football will come shortly.
“I’ll know more about WSU when I visit there next weekend,” Downs said. “I haven’t been there in four years.”
Downs sat out his senior year at Mountlake Terrace because of a knee injury, but recorded 17 tackles-for-a loss with six sacks his junior year. On the offensive side, the 6’3″ 230 pound running back rushed for 1,270 yards with 23 touchdowns.
Downs said if he were to commit to WSU, he intends to play linebacker.
Other visitors on the offensive side include a couple of three starprospects; RB Squally Canada and QB Peyton Bender. Canada is thought to be high on the WSU radar and very reciprocal of the interest level. Bender was the first WSU verbal earlier this season for the 2014 class and was on a record setting pace before being injured midway through his high school season.
For more quotes follow the links to CF.C- Davante Downs, Kaleb McGary
Here’s Devante Downs’ highlight tape from his junior year at Mountlake Terrace:
–Evan Baron (Follow Me On Twitter: @Evan_Baron)