Arrow-right Camera

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Without any big surprises, Washington State unveils week one depth chart

WSU senior Jamal Morrow is one of four running backs listed on the Cougars’ week one depth chart. (Tyler Tjomsland / The Spokesman-Review)

The Cougars revealed their week-one depth chart Monday morning and while that’s usually a highly-anticipated moment for fans, the first two-deep of the season lacked any real plot twists or surprises.

Here’s a look at the depth chart in its entirety…

Depth Chart by Theo Lawson on Scribd

And some notes on the two-deep:

    • At running back, Jamal Morrow, James Williams, Gerard Wicks and Keith Harrington are all listed – in that order – with the word “OR” inserted between each player. Coaches maintain all four will see the field, but Morrow and Williams seem primed to get most of the carries.
    • Robert Lewis is the listed starter at “H” receiver, proving the two-deep probably isn’t 100 percent accurate (most depth charts aren’t). Lewis suffered an undisclosed leg injury in the second team scrimmage and has been “limited” – OK, very limited – ever since. Expect a lot of Renard Bell on Saturday.
    • Along the same line, Cole Madison is listed at the starter at right tackle. Madison’s also been a “limited” practice participant of later, though his ailment didn’t seem as severe as Lewis’. Josh Watson is listed behind Madison.
    • The second offensive line has been in flux throughout the month of August. The backups are: Liam Ryan (left tackle), Cedric Bigge-Duren (left guard), Noah Osury-Myers (center), Robert Valencia (right guard and Watson (right tackle).
    • Frankie Luvu gets the nod ahead of Dylan Hanser at Rush linebacker. Hanser’s also been in and out of practice so if he can’t go, it’ll be Luvu and Chima Onyeukwu splitting the reps at WSU’s outside linebacker-defensive line hybrid position.
    • At nickel, the competition between Hunter Dale and Kirkland Parker has been neck-and-neck. Dale gets the start there, but defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said Sunday that both will share time. It’s worth noting that Parker has recorded more takeaways than his teammate through spring and fall camp. Dale is slightly more experienced at the position, though.
    • Similarly, Marcellus Pippins and Marcus Strong are interchangeable at the cornerback position opposite Darrien Molton. Pippins, a senior, will get the first opening-week start of his career, but expect to see Strong in a hurry if the elder DB falters at all versus MSU.
    • The options are endless in the return game and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Cougars experiment on Saturday, especially if things are going well. Robert Taylor and Renard Bell are the kick returners. Jamal Morrow is the punt returner, followed by freshman Jamire Calvin.
    • Calvin, also the backup for Kyle Sweet at “Y” receiver, is one of 10 freshmen listed on the depth chart. The others are Bell (“H” receiver, KR), Tay Martin (“X” receiver), Ryan (left tackle), Watson (right tackle), Jahad Woods (Will linebacker), George Hicks III (cornerback), Skyler Thomas (free safety), Jack Crane (kicker) and Matthew Allen (long snapper).

Also, the opening week game notes, courtesy of Washington State: