Position breakdown

Starters returning: 1

Starters lost: 3

Expected starters: CB Alex Teems (Sr.), SS Eric Frampton (Jr.), FS Husain Abdullah (So.), CB Omowale Dada (Sr.)

Outlook: This is the second year in a row WSU has had to replace three starters in the defensive backfield. Teems is the lone returner, and it remains to be seen if he will develop into a true shut-down corner. The other position is up for grabs with three players fighting for the job. The Cougars are as thin at safety right now as they are at any other spot on the field, with no official backup listed for Frampton as of yet. Both Frampton and Abdullah played a significant number of snaps with last year’s starters having injury issues, and Abdullah could develop into the team’s next star defensive back. This was one of WSU’s weak spots in 2004, and this group will need to play better for the Cougar defense to improve.

Coming Wednesday: Kickers and punters