3-Star WR Zaire Andre Signs With Washington State Cougars on Signing Day
By Caleb Davis
The Washington State Cougars welcome back their most complete Wide Receiving unit in school history for the 2014 season. In their 2013 campaign, WSU saw 10 players per game on average catch the ball and they are all back with the exception of Bobby Ratliff and Bennett Bontemps. Washington State is poised to boast the best receiving group in the Pac-12 in 2014 but there is a vacancy to be filled in Ratliff’s leave.
So we welcome Zaire Andre in.
Andre is an interesting addition to the wide outs. He reminds me of Michael Bumpus in many ways and will probably play the slot (though the original prognosis is at outside receiver, the [late, expected] additions of Barry Ware and Sebastian LaRue give some flexibility). He has ok height at 5-11 but he only weighs in at 169 lbs. He has a very quick first step and is very elusive, which makes him a prime candidate to receive some wide receiver screens on the outside that we have grown accustomed to seeing from Mike Leach. You have to be able to make the first man miss in that situation and Zaire is quick enough to do just that.
Zaire Andre will be joining a group of good receivers but he really has a chance to make his mark in the return game due to his big play ability. WSU has been lacking an explosive return game and Andre is one of a few in this class that gives them a good chance to bring just that. The added element of having a guy you don’t want to kick to, or he will make you pay, would be very, VERY beneficial to the Cougs and their style.
Although he is probably looking at redshirting this year, Zaire will be a name we all know by the end of his career at WSU. A great get for Washington State.