3 Washington State football positions that will be a battle during spring practice
By Sam Fariss
Quarterback
- Out: Cam Ward (to Miami), Emmett Brown (to San Jose State)
- In: Zevi Eckhaus (from Bryan, 3-star recruit, no rating by 247 as a transfer), Evans Chuba (3-star recruit)
- Stayed: John Mateer (redshirt freshman)
With Ward and backup Emmett Brown leaving, the only QB who stayed in Pullman is redshirt sophmore John Mateer.
In 2022, Mateer’s only appearance was against the Stanford Cardinal and he went 2-2 in the air, including a 27-yard touchdown pass, and rushed for 58 yards. He won’t be alone in the quarterback position though.
In 2023, Mateer played in 11 of WAZZU's games. He scored 3 touchdowns on the ground and threw for 267 yards.
Mateer is joined by transfer Zevi Eckhaus from Bryant and true freshman Evans Chuba.
Eckhaus was a three-star prospect from high school and considered a star by Bryant Bulldogs fans. Meanwhile, Evans Chuba is actively a three-star recruit but has yet to gain college game experience.
While Eckhaus is the most experienced of the three, Mateer knows the Washington State system the best. On the ‘third’ hand, Chuba is a fresh face on the college football scene with a lot of untapped potential.
I think that these three quarterbacks will be in a heated race for the starting job when spring practice starts for the Cougars.