Washington State signs transfer defensive tackle Na’im Rodman, a former starter at Colorado

PULLMAN – Washington State, in need of immediate help at the position, landed a defensive tackle who has plenty of experience playing in the Pac-12.

Colorado transfer Na’im Rodman signed with WSU on Friday. He has one season of eligibility remaining.

Rodman appeared in 42 games for the Buffaloes between 2019-22, making 19 starts.

The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder started 10 games and had 18 tackles last year. Rodman had his most productive season in 2021, recording 23 tackles – 4½ for loss – and 1½ sacks.

Rodman came to Colorado as a three-star recruit out of St. John Bosco in Southern California. He started three of 18 games in his first two seasons in Boulder, then became a regular in the first-team lineup during the 2021 season. Rodman finished his Colorado career with 53 tackles – 24 solo – five TFLs and 1½ sacks.

Shoring up the defensive tackle position was a priority for the Cougars heading into the offseason. The top three players in WSU’s defensive tackle rotation graduated after the 2022 season. The Cougars returned only one defensive tackle who played a significant role last year – junior Nusi Malani.

Sophomore David Gusta saw some action at the position last year. Gusta lined up alongside Malani with WSU’s first-team defense throughout spring camp.

Rodman should compete for a starting job this fall and help WSU’s defense plug gaps in the run game.

Rodman is one of 52 Colorado players to have entered the transfer portal since Deion Sanders took over as the team’s head coach in early December following a 1-11 season.

Sanders, the former NFL great, made national headlines this offseason when he told players that the program would be undergoing a transformation and roster spots would not be guaranteed for returners.

Rodman entered the portal on April 19, three days before Colorado’s spring game.