Price Likes ‘98 Prospects
The future of Washington State football became clearer Friday morning when quarterback Ryan Leaf announced his departure to the NFL and coach Mike Price reiterated his desire to return for a 10th season and beyond.
“I don’t think it’s ever going to be the same, because I don’t think you can reproduce Ryan Leaf and the things that he does,” Price said, “but we’re going to be pretty darn good next year.”
Price’s view will be in the minority on that one, considering the Cougars return only six of 22 starters next season. But Price has proven skeptics wrong before; few outsiders expected this year’s team to finish better than seventh in the Pacific-10 Conference, let alone win a championship.
If the Cougars are successful in 1998, it will be with an offense made up largely of junior-college transfers.
Quarterback Brian Paul has already signed out of West Los Angeles Junior College. He’ll challenge junior Steve Birnbaum for the right to succeed Leaf, Price said.
Birnbaum is considered the favorite because he has had three years to learn the system.
“Steve, of course, is the guy that’s going to be the next guy,” Price said. “He’s the guy to beat out.”
Paul, who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, brings a new element to the offense. There’s a chance he could redshirt.
“He’s a real different type of athlete than what we have had at quarterback,” Price said. “He’s real fast, real shifty, a real outstanding athlete. I don’t know how he’s going to fit into the offense - we’re just going to have to see how he does.”
The offensive line loses four starters. Among the potential replacements are four JC players who redshirted this season, plus the Raymond brothers, sophomore tackles Reed and Ryan. The Cougars have also received an oral commitment from a JC center, Price said.
“We’ll be able to get good protection and I think we’ll be just fine,” Price said.
Only Nian Taylor returns from the Fab Five receivers, leaving Price to hunt the JC ranks for at least two potential starters. Alexe Rodopolos, a 6-foot-3, 204-pound transfer from Iowa, has the talent to earn a starting job, receivers coach Mike Levenseller said. Farwan Zubedi (5-9, 167) and Troy Woody (6-3, 200) will also compete for playing time.
The departure of Michael Black leaves a huge void at running back, although backups DeJuan Gilmore and Jason Clayton return. The Cougars are said to be in the running for at least one high-profile JC back.
The defense loses seven starters, but defensive coordinator Bill Doba has up-and-coming talent to work with.
Free safety Lamont Thompson, who picked off six passes in the Cougars’ last three games, could be one of the best defensive backs in the Pac-10 next season. Safety Torry Hollimon showed promise. Earl Riley, who redshirted this season after transferring from Merced (Calif.) Junior College, will challenge Jermaine Hunsaker and LeJuan Gibbons to replace Ray Jackson at left cornerback. Linebacker Steve Gleason, cornerback Dee Moronkola and tackle Gary Holmes are returning starters.
The Cougars have a flock of young players at linebacker and on the defensive line. The linebackers include Raonall Smith, James Price, Austin Matson, Serign Marong and Brad Philley. Linemen include Taeao Salausa, Delmar Morais, Rob Meier, Eboni Wilson, Jesse Ratcliff, Jonathan Nance, James Agnew and Takari Blash.
“We’ve got some players on the D-line and I think we’ve got some outstanding ones,” Price said. The Cougars also have an oral commitment from a punter, Price said. Two-year starter Jeff Banks is graduating. Place kicker Rian Lindell returns.
One weekend of recruiting remains.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Key players lost Offense (10): Ryan Leaf, QB; Michael Black, RB; Shawn McWashington, WR; Chris Jackson, WR; Shawn Tims, WR; Kevin McKenzie, WR; Jason McEndoo, OL; Lee Harrison, OL; Cory Withrow, OL; Ryan McShane, OL. Defense (7): Leon Bender, DT; Dorian Boose, DE; Shane Doyle, DE; Todd Nelson, LB; Brandon Moore, LB; Duane Stewart, SS; Ray Jackson, CB.