Coach Wulff impressed with new Cougs

PULLMAN – Ian Knight might be a little undersized for a defensive end at 6-foot-2 and 244 pounds, but the junior college transfer showed something early in Washington State’s first spring football practice Monday.

A burst off the line.

“In the team situations, Ian Knight’s speed on the edge was evident,” said WSU coach Paul Wulff after the Cougars had finished the first of what will be 15 spring practices, culminating in the spring game April 16 in Spokane’s Joe Albi Stadium.

But Knight wasn’t the only newcomer Wulff noticed.

“Xavier Cooper’s speed, strength on the edge,” Wulff continued, mentioning another of the Cougars’ seven new faces seen on the Rogers practice field. “Both of those guys were really good.”

Knight and the 6-4, 265-pound Cooper, a freshman from Tacoma’s Wilson High who grayshirted to take care of some academic problems, may have shown athleticism that was in short supply during last year’s 2-10 season, but it was what happened when they attacked that had to please Wulff even more.

Time and again tackles John Fullington, David Gonzales, Jake Rodgers and another JC transfer, Rico Forbes, got in position to meet the charge. For a team that yielded 51 sacks last season, that was an improvement.

“I was pleasantly surprised, just overall (by) the competition,” said quarterback Jeff Tuel. “Guys who were in their first practice out here, leading, yelling, screaming, getting into it. You saw Xavier and Rico in a little battle there and Rico trying to get guys going.

“That’s great to see. It’s his first practice and he’s already trying to stir it up.”

The Cougars went through a 2-hour, 20-minute workout in helmets and no other pads (as mandated by the NCAA), drilling and limited-contact scrimmaging at times in a light snow.

Still, Wulff was pleased with the intensity and tempo.

“Our numbers at each position allowed us to keep players fresh and play fast,” he said of WSU having 82 players participate in the workout. “We didn’t have to slow down because there were only so many receivers, or so many at this position.

“The players definitely looked a little stronger, a little fresher. We had a lot of new players in there playing and they fit right in.”

WSU will take today off, then practice again Wednesday and Thursday before breaking for the student’s spring week off.