WSU football set to add six Spring enrollees
From Pullman -- Six new players are expected to join the Washington State football program today, with Markell Sanders, Marcellus Pippins, Dylan Hanser, Nick Begg, Calvin Green and Sean Krepsz all set to become Cougars. Sanders, Hanser, Begg and Krepsz are already listed in the WSU student directory, and all six are on campus according to Britton Ransford of WazzuWatch.com.
We'll have updates with quotes from the WSU coaches once they become available. For now, we've got more on the newcomers, after the jump.
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The cornerback depth is very thin for the Cougars, with only four listed on the roster. The departures of Alex Jackson and Rahmel Dockery have left a dearth of players at the position, but help is on the way. Markell Sanders of Eastside Catholic High School in Sammamish joins the team after gray shirting last season while recovering from injuries that kept him off the field for much of his senior year. While Sanders will likely need the spring and next year to get back in football shape, he should contribute down the road.
Cornerback relief will also be provided by Marcellus Pippins, who comes by way of El Cerritos high school. Pippins also was a grayshirt this past season, and will be a big boon to the Cougars if he can contribute next season.
The Cougars are expected to announce one other defensive addition on Monday, linebacker Dylan Hanser from Billings, Mont. Another grayshirt, Hanser is yet another Cougar who will join the team more than a year removed from high school, with the idea being that he can add weight and muscle without losing a year of eligibility. Already 6-foot-5 and 218-pounds, Hanser could be an ideal candidate to play the BUCK position for WSU.
WSU's young defensive line is about to get even younger, with offensive tackle Sean Krepsz coming into the fold, and Nick Begg potentially joining the ranks as well. Krepsz is one of two recruits from the class of 2014 that is set to enroll early to participate in spring ball. Offensive line coach Clay McGuire has spoken to the importance of giving linemen extra time to develop so getting in the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Krepsz early could allow him to eventually contribute sooner. Begg, at 240-pounds, is small for an offensive lineman, but could grow into the position. He was also recruited as a tight end and as a defensive end, so it will be interesting to see where the former Arizona State recruit ends up.
WSU's other 2014 early enrollee is Calvin "Flash" Green whose nickname comes from his reportedly blazing fast speed. While he signed as a running back, the speedy Green is also expected to spend some time as a wide receiver for the Cougars. Here's what coach Mike Leach had to say about Green back when he signed his financial aid agreement:
"We are excited for Calvin to get in school and begin his Cougar career. He is a versatile player who can do a lot of things, explosive with the ball, and can play different positions. He will also have the benefit of going through winter conditioning and spring practice as he adjusts to college life."
