Blue-Chip Quarterback Checks Out WSU

Another quarterback entered the picture for Washington State University on Wednesday.

But this one is a few years away from taking snaps for any college.

Casey Clausen, one of the top-rated high school quarterback prospects on the West Coast, was at Cougars practice.

The 6-4, 205-pound senior-to-be at Alemany High in Mission Hills, Calif., currently is visiting universities in the Northwest.

He was at University of Washington on Tuesday, WSU Wednesday and will visit University of Oregon today.

The all-state player threw for more than 3,200 yards and 29 touchdowns last season and is so highly sought that Oregon’s Ducks have offered him a scholarship without meeting him. Many other big-time programs have offered Clausen a scholarship, but he is taking a wait-and-see approach.

“Right now, we are just looking at everybody,” he said. “But I would like to narrow it down to three schools pretty quick and then go to camp at those three schools.”

He will make his decision before the start of next season.

Unlike most of the universities that are after Clausen, WSU was contacted by the quarterback. His father, Jim Clausen, is a friend of former Oregon State coach Mike Riley, the San Diego Chargers coach. Riley suggested that Clausen take a look at WSU.

“I want to go somewhere with an offense that kind of showcases my talents,” said Clausen. “We run a lot of what they (the Cougars) run.”