Mencke Chooses Cougs Lewis And Clark Quarterback To Accept A Full Ride To WSU

Two days ago, Paul Mencke seemed locked into a Division I-AA college football career. This morning, he stands just a turned ankle or two away from quarterbacking in the prestigious Pacific-10 Conference.

Mencke, who quarterbacked Lewis and Clark to a 5-3 finish in the Greater Spokane League last fall, announced Monday he will accept a full-ride athletic scholarship to play football for Washington State University this fall.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder, who threw for nearly 1,500 yards and 11 touchdowns in his only season as a high school starter, visited Pullman last weekend and said he will sign a national letter of intent with WSU on Wednesday.

“It just felt natural,” he said of his decision to become a Cougar. “I know Washington State real well because both of my sisters went there and I like the coaches.”

Mencke was only a third-team All-GSL selection, but his athletic ability, strong arm and untapped potential seemed enough to convince Cougars coach Mike Price to bet on the come.

Price, who has no other reported commitments from high school or junior college quarterbacks, is not allowed to comment on individual recruits until after their letters of intent are faxed or mailed in during Wednesday’s national signing day. WSU is expected to sign 17 players.

Mencke said he accepted WSU’s offer after taking recruiting visits to Montana State, Eastern Washington and Idaho.

He will undoubtedly redshirt next fall behind sophomore Ryan Leaf, redshirt freshman Steve Birnbaum and senior Chad Davis

But Mencke said he can live with having to compete against Leaf and Birnbaum for the next two or three seasons.

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