⚡ CFB Dashboard

IT IS NOT always easy to get a clean look at the specialists during spring football at Washington State. They are often working in a separate area from the rest of the team during practice. But when the whole team would come together, there were plenty of opportunities to see what the special forces will look like in 2026. Here is what Cougfan.com learned about the special teamers over the course of 15 spring practices. THE STARTERS: Jack Stevens is a virtual lock to return as the starting placekicker for the Cougars, putting together a strong spring session after a strong 2025 season. His leg appeared to be stronger and he worked on nailing down the right hash, the location that gave him so much trouble last year. He was 16-of-19 but two of those misses were from that right hash, and were shorter distances. Max Dean appears to be the heavy frontrunner to be the starting punter, with Jeremy Sousa as the long snapper. It's harder to determine the kickoff specialist as of right now, with Stevens and Miguel Arenas likely still competing into fall camp. THE DEPTH: Behind Stevens will be Arenas, at least for the placekicker role and possibly for the kickoff specialist role, depending on who wins that job. Dean's main understudy will be Josh Lijesen, a transfer from Diablo Valley College, and Sousa will be backed by program veteran Sean Bures, a Lacey product in his fourth year at WSU. INCOMING FACES: As far as we know, the special teams units are set numbers wise, although there could always be a late addition. THE TAKEAWAY: Stevens and Dean will be counted on to be the vital kicker and punter duo this season, with Dean being the holder for Stevens too. The operation for him will be slightly different with a new long snapper and holder, but he's an experienced enough kicker to offset that change. The return game is still a little murky, although it would be stunning if anyone other than Tony Freeman returned punts. The biggest question is kickoff duties, with Stevens established on field goals but Arenas potentially having the big leg to specialize on kickoffs. Related post-spring analyses: CBs have experience but pressing questions remain Linebackers dish out the hard hits Bash Brothers at DE could be Cougars' top two defensive players DT goes from two bodies to among Cougs' deepest positions Starting five on OL looks set while depth builds Tight end spot loaded with 2 vets and crop of youngsters Injuries leave questions about Cougar WRs heading into fall WSU's depth at RB goes beyond the Big 3 Sizing up the QB race after an uneven spring Projecting the Cougar depth chart with spring in the books Jack Stevens (Photo: Whittney Thornton/Cougfan.com)