Full list of Washington State players invited to the 2024 NFL Combine

The Cougars have three defensive stars invited to participate in the NFL Combine this year. After a 5-7 finish to the 2023 season, these hopefuls may be a bright spot in the program’s year.

Defensive lineman Brennan Jackson along with defensive backs Jaden Hicks and Chau Smith-Wade are invited to show off their skills one last time ahead of the Draft.

Brennan Jackson

Dec 19, 2020; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Drew Lisk (12) passes under pressure by Washington State Cougars defensive end Brennan Jackson (80). / Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports

Through 44 games with Washington State, Brennan Jackson became the Cougs’ most elite edge rusher. Despite suffering a leg injury and one season being cut short due to COVID, Jackson racked up defensive stats.

During the 2021 season, Jackson brought in an interception and 46 total tackles. He also earned four sacks, three pass deflections, and a fumble recovery.

In his final season with the Cougs, he scored three touchdowns on four fumble recoveries and amassed 57 tackles plus 8.5 sacks.

Over five seasons with Washington State, Jackson earned 157 total tackles, 20 sacks, 1 interception, 9 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries.

Jaden Hicks

Nov 5, 2022; Stanford, California, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive back Jaden Hicks (25) scores on a pick-six. / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Hicks played in just 26 games with the Cougs. Redshirting his freshman season, his sophomore and junior years produced all of his notable stats.

Earning two defensive touchdowns, one through a fumble recovery and one through a pick-six, Hicks racked up 12 points throughout two years.

Hicks earned 3 total interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 forced fumble in just two seasons with Washington State. He also had 13 pass deflections, 3.5 sacks, and 155 total tackles.

Chau Smith-Wade

Nov 12, 2022; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars defensive back Chau Smith-Wade (6) holds onto an interception. / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Hicks’ counterpart at defensive back, Chau Smith-Wade played in 33 games over four seasons. A three-star prospect coming out of high school, his freshman season was shortened because of COVID but his final three years produced impressive stats.

Smith-Wade had 103 total tackles for the Cougars, including 71 solos and 32 assists. Those 103 tackles included 6 tackles for loss.

While he had 0 sacks, Smith-Wade had 3 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. He had an astonishing 21 pass deflections, 10 of them during his junior season.

The 2024 NFL Combine will be held from Feb. 26 through March 4 in Indianapolis. Fans can watch the former Cougars perform on NFL Network.

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