WSU Football: Sebastian LaRue Transfering From Texas A&M, Are Cougars Still a Possible Fit?

Dec 21, 2013; Albuquerque, NM, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach in the second half against the Colorado State Rams during the Gildan New Mexico Bowl at University Stadium. The Rams defeated the Cougars 48-45. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

If you paid any attention to WSU recruiting last year, the name Sebastian LaRue sounds familiar. The former four-star wide receiver from the 2013 recruiting class had multiple offers which included from WSU. The Cougars were one of the few schools that remained on LaRue’s final list to play college ball, however the former Santa Monica high school wide receiver decided to play for Texas A&M. After redshirting the 2013 football season at College Station, LaRue announced yesterday he’ll no longer be an Aggie and will play football closer to home.

“I want to be closer to home,” LaRue said, via Gigem 247. “That’s the big thing. I really enjoyed my time at Texas A&M but I’m just not happy there.”

LaRue can not have contact with any schools until he receives his release form from the Aggies, which the wide receiver said he hopes to get done by next week.

WSU has been mentioned as a potential landing spot for LaRue along with USC and UCLA which are right in his backyard. The Santa Monica native gave a verbal commitment to the Trojans in June of 2012, and later on backed out on USC to go to College Station.

Though any Pac-12 school in the state of California would be close to his home in Santa Monica, Wazzu would be a perfect fit for LaRue. He’s taken an official visit to the Palouse before and knows what the Cougars have to offer.

“The student section had signs and were chanting for me, it was a cool experience,” he said when he took his official visit to WSU back in November of 2012 via scout.com. “The offense looked really good, once they got rolling, they looked pretty explosive and I think I would fit in really well there.”

If LaRue chooses Pullman as his next destination (along with any other Division 1 program), he would have to sit out next season due to NCAA transfer rules. However this would not be a bad case for him, as Wazzu will graduate five wide receivers after next season. Thus LaRue would not only have an opportunity to play for the Cougars in 2015, but make an impact as well.

The Air Raid offense would be a great fit for the former Aggie, as it is a pass-first offense. LaRue would be able to make a statement very quickly in the Palouse with his play making ability. Not only would he get the opportunity to catch passes, but his explosive speed makes him a high candidate to return kicks and get a chance to run the ball from the wide receiver position (ala Kristoff Williams last season).

Another reason why LaRue might dawn Crimson and Gray is quarterback Tyler Bruggman. The quarterback will be in his second year of play (third year in the system) with the Cougars by the time the Santa Monica standout gets a shot to play. Bruggman has the potential to be an elite quarterback not only in the Pac-12 but in the entire country. The redshirt freshman is a very accurate quarterback which means LaRue would not have any trouble getting the ball.

Mike Leach is an offensive genius and can help LaRue reach his potential, along with getting him ready for the NFL. Leach helped Michael Crabtree be the tenth overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.

A decision has yet to be made by LaRue, but once the paperwork is approved by Texas A&M expect Leach and his staff to be on the phone constantly with their potential future wide receiver.

Here is Sebastian LaRue’s 2012/2013 highlight tape:

-Evan Baron (Follow Me On Twitter: @Evan_Baron)