3-Star QB Peyton Bender Signs With Washington State Cougars on Signing Day
By Josh Davis
The Washington State Cougars are pretty solid in the quarterback position heading into 2014, but Mike Leach likes to stay ahead of the game. With senior Connor Halliday RS sophomore Austin Apodaca and RS freshman Tyler Bruggman, the Cougars have three scholarship quarterbacks. With surprising RS freshman walk on Luke Falk behind that, it looks great, but let it never be said that Mike Leach failed to fill up the cupboard at QB.
Enter, Peyton Bender.
Bender is a kid that really fits the Leach mold. Above average arm strength, above average mobility and above average decision making. But where he excels is where Leach looks first, in accuracy with the football and a quick release. At the Elite 11 football camp, former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer has said it’s one of the quickest he’s ever seen in high school.
The 6’2, 175 pound quarterback out of Cardinal Gibbons in Fort Lauderdale, FL battled injury his senior season, but was putting up video game-type numbers before the injury and is completely healthy once again heading into the Summer. When he arrives later this Summer, he should be ready to compete for his spot in the rotation, which could very well amount to 3rd string.
A redshirt is in his immediate future, but he’s nobody to sleep on as his career unfolds in future seasons. Welcome to the Cougar family Peyton Bender!
Go Cougs!