Mike Leach and the Cougar Football faithful can breathe easy, Tyler Hilinski has made his verbal commitment to WSU official. Making things even better for the Cougars, Hilinski will be eligible to begin practicing next spring after he will be graduating high school this fall allowing him to enroll in classes at WSU in January.
Hilinski will be a welcomed addition to the Cougar football squad after the team has recently been thinned out at the quarterback position after the transfers of once touted recruit Tyler Bruggman and Austin Apodaca.
Hilinski is listed at 6’3 and 195 pounds and profiles as a pocket passer, something obviously coveted by Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense. The addition of Hilinski is big for the Cougars as they face a graduating Connor Halliday after the season and don’t have a quarterback with playing experience on the roster next year. With Luke Falk and Peyton Bender already on board, this will provide Mike Leach with competition at the quarterback position next season after Halliday’s departure.
With uncertainty at the quarterback position for the 2015 season, it might be a good idea for Leach to attempt to find another quarterback to add to the 2015 class. The more competition could help drive the quarterbacks and ultimately lead to a better overall starting quarterback for the next season.
As Falk is set to be the back up this season, he’ll be looking to take the reigns from Halliday while Bender and Hilinski will try to make a push to surpass Falk. However, don’t be surprised if Leach attempts to redshirt Hilinski next season in an attempt to save a year of his eligibility and to give Hilinski experience with the offense.
The attached link below is a highlight video of Hilinski. He certainly looks promising in his video showing excellent footwork in the pocket stepping up when he needs to while also demonstrating a quick release. Hilinski also shows good mobility in the pocket while showing his ability to throw on the run, something that isn’t as often seen from a quarterback his size.
The Cougs expect big things from Halliday this year, perhaps Hilinski will be full of expectations in the years to come.