Leach dismisses defensive tackle Anthony Laurenzi

Mike Leach has dismissed another potential starter from the Washington State football team.
Defensive tackle Anthony Laurenzi, who was arrested Sunday on suspicion of third-degree theft after Pullman police said he stole a pair of headphones from Walmart, was dismissed from the team Thursday for violation of team policy, a WSU spokesman confirmed.
Laurenzi, who would have been a redshirt senior this season, was listed as the team’s starting left defensive tackle on a depth chart printed in the WSU media guide.
He’s the third player dismissed by Leach this season who was expected to start on the …

Mike Leach has dismissed another potential starter from the Washington State football team.

Defensive tackle Anthony Laurenzi, who was arrested Sunday on suspicion of third-degree theft after Pullman police said he stole a pair of headphones from Walmart, was dismissed from the team Thursday for violation of team policy, a WSU spokesman confirmed.

Laurenzi, who would have been a redshirt senior this season, was listed as the team’s starting left defensive tackle on a depth chart printed in the WSU media guide.

He’s the third player dismissed by Leach this season who was expected to start on the Cougars’ defense. The first two, C.J. Mizell and Sekope Kaufusi, were both linebackers. Mizell was dismissed after an arrest following an altercation at a fraternity party; Kaufusi was dismissed after an arrest for suspicion of possession of marijuana in early March.

Leach is known to take a hard stance against three particular criminal offenses – drug use, abuse of women and theft.

Pullman Police Cmdr. Chris Tennant said a Walmart employee saw Laurenzi conceal a pair of headphones priced at $57.88 on his person before attempting to leave the store. Tennant said when confronted, Laurenzi admitted to stealing the headphones, then was cited for third-degree theft and released on his own recognizance.

Laurenzi started all 12 games for WSU last season and recorded 25 tackles. He was expected to anchor a thin defensive line that becomes even less experienced in his absence.

It especially hurts WSU’s depth at nose tackle, where Laurenzi was listed as the backup to Kalafitoni Pole.