Spring Defense
26
Athlon Sports bullish on WSU offense, but what about Coug D?
- THE HOPE FOR Washington State fans is that the 2026 offense will look more like the high-octane offenses of old and not like Jimmy Rogers' version last year. "In 2026, Washington State's offense could shift back to the high-flying approach that fans across the country have come to recognize," Athlon wrote.
defenseoffense
Gray Team Uses Late INT To Post Spring Game Win
- PULLMAN, Wash. (April 25, 2026) – Washington State Football saw the Gray Team pick off a pass late to seal the Grimson and Gray Spring Game at Gesa Field Saturday afternoon.
- Edge Malachi Wrice picked off a pass to give the Gray Team (Defense) a 40-29 win over the Crimson Team (Offense).
- The Cougar defense picked off two passes, Jeremiah Bernard and Wrice.
- The offense saw Caden Pinnick...
defensedlmentions_alabamaoffensepredictionspring_practice
Washington State Leaves Spring With Swagger | Defense DOMINATES, QB Battle Still OPEN
- Top Actionable Intel
- Washington State left spring with a defense-first identity; the hosts repeatedly framed the defense as ahead of the offense and potentially the strength of the 2026 team.
- The quarterback battle remains open, but the hosts leaned toward Caden Pinnick as the current QB1 based on reps, game-management trust, and who was used when the offense needed a late drive.
- Julian Dugger is viewed as a package/wildcat weapon who could play meaningful snaps even if he is not the every-down starter.
- The offense is still installing a pro-style system under Kirby Moore, so the hosts expect more growth over summer and fall than what showed in the spring game.
defensedepth_chartlbmentions_alabamaoffensepodcastpracticeqbrbschematicsspring_practicewr
SPRING COLLAB w/ FieldHouse Report
- Top Betting/Intel Takeaways
- Washington State's tight end room is expected to matter more under Kirby Moore than it did in prior Air Raid/run-and-shoot structures.
- UCLA transfer Jack Pedersen was identified as an early-emerging TE and leadership/glue-guy type who can stretch the field in ways WSU has not consistently had from the position.
- Trey Leckner did not participate in spring, but is still viewed as a potential impact piece when healthy/available.
- Bo Baker, a 6-6 South Dakota State transfer via Kentucky, was mentioned as a size/speed upside TE if he can stay healthy.
defensedepth_chartdlinjurieslbmentions_air_forcementions_arizona_statementions_boise_statementions_californiamentions_coloradomentions_colorado_statementions_dukementions_fresno_statementions_houstonmentions_iowamentions_iowa_statementions_kentuckymentions_memphismentions_michiganmentions_north_texasmentions_ole_missmentions_oregonmentions_oregon_statementions_ricementions_san_diego_statementions_stanfordmentions_texasmentions_texas_statementions_tulanementions_uclamentions_unlvmentions_uscmentions_utahmentions_utah_statementions_utsamentions_virginiaoffensepodcastqbspring_practicetewr
Kirby Moore points to WSU's emerging Bash Brothers
- WSU edge rushers Linus Zunk and Matyus McLain emerge as "Bash Brothers," consistently disruptive with sacks/pressures under edge coach Andrew Browning.
defensedllbmentions_oregonoffensepracticepredictionqbschematicsspring_practicewr
Julian Dugger celebrates WSU's quarterback battle
- Julian Dugger says WSU's QB competition (Pinnick, Eshelman, Dugger) benefits all three; Kirby Moore will decide starter.
defensedepth_chartlbmentions_pittsburghmentions_virginiaoffensepracticepredictionqbschematicsspring_practice