WSU plays fast in first day of pads

• The first full-pad practice of this spring was different. It was not more intense than usual, though there was one good fight between receiver Isiah Barton and linebacker C.J. Mizell. It was not more physical, though there were a few blows delivered by the defense – and the offensive line. No, it was different because it was so fast paced. Faster than I’ve ever seen at WSU. When the team portions of the practice started, it was apparent quickly. More plays, more groups running in and out, more accomplished. The tempo was more akin to an Oregon game than one against, say, Wisconsin. This was a basketball practice on turf. … Some of the guys who took advantage of the tempo to make big plays included cornerback Damante Horton, who leaped high to intercept a pass intended for Marquess Wilson in the flat and return it for six, and freshman receiver Isiah Myers, who nudged Tracy Clark off a deep pass, gathered it in and took it for another six. … It’s no wonder Mike Levenseller is saying this could be his deepest receiving group ever. Myers and Henry Eaddy are showing skills despite their youth, and Kristoff Williams, Bobby Ratliff, Blair Bomber and Bennett Bontemps all showed Tuesday they could be ready to help Jared Karstetter, Wilson, Barton and Gino Simone. That’s 10 guys. … We mentioned one of the position switches in our story , but there was another one. Former scout team quarterback Gordy Anderson, who is 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, is switching to tight end. WSU coach Paul Wulff did say that Skylar Stormo’s move to the defensive line is partly a testament to the team’s depth at tight end. … OK, now we’ll go over the injury situation. … Linebacker Louis Bland was not in pads today, with ice on his surgically repaired knee. Wulff said it’s a muscle situation. He needs more strength. After more testing, they decided to do more weight work on that before he comes back out. … Tackle David Gonzales sat out practice with an infection the medical staff wants to get cleared up before he returns. … Other than that, there were no new players sitting out.

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• That’s it for tonight. We need to get some dinner. We’ll be back in the morning. Until then …