COUGARS

UPDATE: A WSU spokesman has confirmed that senior defensive tackle Anthony Laurenzi has been dismissed from the Washington State football team. The news was first reported by Cougfan.com. Read on.

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Laurenzi's dismissal -- for "violation of team policy," officially -- marks the third dismissal of a projected starting defensive player by Leach since he took the head coaching job. The first two, C.J. Mizell and Sekope Kaufusi, both figured to be starting linebackers.

Laurenzi was arrested by Pullman Police on Sunday evening after he allegedly stole a pair of headphones from Walmart. Cmdr. Chris Tennant said Laurenzi admitted to the theft after being confronted as he tried to leave the store, then was cited with third-degree theft and released on his own recognizance.

Theft, of course, is one of Leach's three "cardinal sins" that typically warrant dismissal. The other two are drug use and abuse of women. I asked Leach at Pac-12 media day if dismissal was a possibility in Laurenzi's case.

Obviously, losing Laurenzi presents some depth issues up front. It also might force younger players into the mix, such as incoming defensive tackles Ioane Guata and Robert Barber.

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple

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