Several WSU football recruits arrive early

PULLMAN – Calvin Green and Sean Krepsz were not willing to wait until fall semester before enrolling at Washington State. The two freshman football players are members of the class of 2014, which signs National Letters of Intent in February, but are taking advantage of an NCAA rule that allows high school seniors who graduate early to matriculate in the spring and practice with the team without using a year of eligibility. They are joined by junior college cornerback Marcellus Pippins, linebacker Dylan Hanser, offensive lineman Nick Beggs and cornerback Markell Sanders, who also started at WSU when the semester started Monday. Hanser, Begggs and Sanders each signed with the Cougars a season ago. But they spent last season as “grayshirts” – players who preserve a year of eligibility by deferring their enrollment for a season. Green was recruited as a running back but can also play wide receiver, and is known for his superlative speed. “We are excited for Calvin to get in school and begin his Cougars career,” WSU coach Mike Leach said when Green signed his financial aid agreement in November. “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.” Krepsz, an offensive lineman, already has FBS size. Like most young linemen, it is likely that Krepsz will redshirt his first season to prepare his body for life in the Pac-12 trenches. However, last season the Cougars played true freshman Riley Sorenson on the offensive line, and by enrolling early the 6-foot-5, 300-poound Krepsz can better his chances of playing this upcoming season. The recruit most likely to see the field in the near future is Pippins, who played two seasons at El Cerritos Junior College in California. Pippins can provide immediate depth at cornerback, where the Cougars ended the 2013 season with just four scholarship players.