Nov 16, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; A Oregon Ducks cheerleader dances at halftime against the Utah Utes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Washington State had a bevy of decommits throughout the 2014 recruiting season, along with some kids that came right down to the wire and decided to commit in either the last couple of weeks or on National Signing Day. Here’s a quick look at where those targets ended up signing.
- **** OT Kaleb McGary, **** Naijiel Hale, *** WR Brayden Lenius, *** CB Darren Gardenhire, *** K Tristan Vizcaino – WASHINGTON HUSKIES
McGary was the late disappointing loss among these five kids that ended up at the UW. Hale was an early target but dropped off the WSU map after committing to Arizona, before flipping. Lenius was a late WSU target but when Barry Ware committed the offer was likely pulled. Gardenhire and Vizcaino flipped from WSU a while back.
- *** (JUCO) OT Miguel Machado – MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
Oh Miguel… what a wacky recruitment you had. Committed to WSU, then flipped to Purdue over the weekend, then flipped again on signing day to MSU? George mentioned this yesterday, but this is one of those flippity-floppers that we shouldn’t be worried about losing. Sparty did get a talented kid though, no doubt about it. Can he get his head right?
- **** DT/DE Marcus Griffin – ARIZONA WILDCATS
Griffin’s cycle caught up with him as two offers were pulled before his recruitment was over. WSU and CAL said ‘no thanks’ after it was clear that they were going to be able to fill the spots with capable prospects and/or just got sick of waiting for him to even commit to a front-runner. He still ended up at a good spot though and should do good things for the Cats.
- **** ILB Chandler Leniu – CAL GOLDEN BEARS
For Leniu, it’s pretty simple. He committed to WSU and loved it in Pullman but couldn’t ultimately grasp the reality of playing so far away from home. He’s a terrific pickup for Sonny Dykes.
- *** OL Braden Eggert and *** DE Austin Maloata – OREGON DUCKS
Looking back Eggert’s flip to Oregon was one of the more disappointing losses of this recruiting season. He’s a starting caliber tackle with size and strength, you know, just like Oregon likes em.
- *** QB Ronald Monroe – VANDERBILT COMMODORES
Monroe is probably one of the losses that ended up actually helping this class out. The Cougars picked up LaRue and Ware late and both are skilled enough to play immediately. Monroe was a project at WR but he was also one heck of a high school QB. I think he’s a high value pickup for a Vandy team in transition.
- *** ILB Xavier Ulutu – FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS
I gotta admit, this one is the second most frustrating miss from my perspective. I have no idea when WSU started paying attention but from what I can gather the heat really didn’t come until late. Fresno still held us off… Fresno. Looking at the tape it looks like Ulutu is the real deal and would have solidified major depth in the LB corps for years to come, but Fresno? I mean I get that they had a great season and all, but really?
- ** OL Jordan Rose and *** (JUCO) WR Kenny Torrence – IDAHO VANDALS
Neither of these guys’ offers held any serious weight at the end of their recruitment, in fact both were pulled. Just thought it was interesting that Rose was at one point committed to WSU and Torrence was a fallback option. For Idaho, they are big pickups.
- *** DE Patrick Choudja – NEVADA WOLFPACK
Silver lining; Choudja tweeted that WSU had the best facilities of any of the schools that were interested in hosting him. I believe that included Boise State, Fresno, Nevada and Washington State. Not unexpected with the renovations, but nice to hear nonetheless. His non-commitment to WSU was a mute point after Canty committed a week ago.
For more depth on most of these kids, visit THIS PAGE on Cougfan.com
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WSU also has a few offers out (according to Scout) to undecided players that are worth keeping an eye on. Whether or not these kids are getting a legitimate look or just used to have an offer on the table at one point is unknown, at least to me. Remember, the Cougars still have a scholarship spot available for this year’s class and they also need a kicker but could opt to bring one in as a walk-on and give him a chance to earn a scholarship after his freshman season so as not to count against the class totals.
- *** Riverside, CA (JUCO) WR Sam Boyd (6-4, 235)
- *** San Mateo, CA (JUCO) CB Joseph Turner (6-2, 190)
- *** Katy, TX DE Tim Wilkerson (6-3, 220)
- *** Muskogee, OK DE Tramal Ivy (6-4, 215)
- *** Edmond, OK OLB Michael Farmer (6-2, 225)