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The 2014 edition of the Washington State University Football Team will be a crimson beast of a different color. Depth this season will be the most obvious change in the teams character. Well, at least at most positions. Starting with the offensive and defensive lines Wazzu will be presenting a mix of talented young players and some stout upper class men to provide depth and a rotation not seen in a few years. On the offensive line the two deeps consist of 5 juniors, 3 sophomores and 2 red shirt freshman. The athletic ability of these players is much higher than in the past and they average over 20 pounds heavier per man. Coach Leach operates an offensive line system with very large spaces between the linemen so athletic ability and size influence how successful the system will function. On the defensive line standouts Xavier Cooper and Toni Pole are simply dominating but probably more important is the fact that as many as 7 players have the ability to combine in a rotation where there is always quality up front. Again increased weight and strength during the off season will show as we begin the season and hopefully allow for the youngest members to gain valuable experience before we start the PAC12 season. Meanwhile the Line Backers have been in hot competition for all of spring and fall camps. The depth at the three positions is incredible as both the first and second teams are of PAC12 caliber talent. The biggest battle appears to be between Tana Prichard and Chester Su’a at the Will position. Darryl Monroe is backed up by Jeramiah Allison and Peyton Pelluer in the middle and lone senior Cyrus Coen mans the Sam position with Paris Taylor and Mitchell Peterson behind him. The hybrid Buck position is being held down by last years starter Kache Palacio who is backed up by an up and coming newcomer by the name of Ivan McClennan. 295 lb junior Destiny Vaeao has moved to defensive End. The secondary is where all the questions will lie. Bucannon, Washington and Horten are gone and the only remaining starter is free safety Taylor Taliulu from Hawaii. Competition at strong safety has been between three very athletic newcomers. Converted running back Teondray Caldwell, Isaac Dotson and hard hitting Darius Lemora. Dotson has been injured most of fall camp and with Caldwell being way down on the depth chart at running back the move was made to strengthen the depth at strong safety. Caldwell has not disappointed the coaches and looks to get the start against Rutgers. The first three games should solidify the rotation and help sort things out. Finally on defense, the cornerback situation, which lost three regular starters to graduation. Daquawn Brown returns to play the wide side corner and Tracy Clark a senior with just special teams experience seems to have inherited the boundary side corner. The competition for playing time is fierce due to the fact that no less than 5 red shirt and true freshman with loads of speed and talent are picking up the skill sets to become successful in D-1 play. Again the 3 non league contests will help sort out who will see the field by the time PAC12 play begins. Now turning again to offense. The real strength of the team is the depth at wide receiver. No less than 8 players will be rotating in as WAZZU plans to throw the ball about 60 times per game. All of last years starters are back. Probably the most impressive players in camp this fall have been seniors Vince Mayle and Kristoff Williams. But the consistency of players like Isiah Myers and Rickey Galvin has assured them of plenty of reps in the 4 wideout sets. The two players who lead the team in receptions over the past two years, Gabe Marks and Brett Bart0lone, may possibly both red shirt this season due to both injuries in camp the quality play of others like River Cracraft, Robert Lewis and Calvin Green who are all freshman or sophomores. The entire offensive freshman class with the exception of Green who enrolled last spring will redshirt. The back field has also been very competitive this fall. Last years starter Marcus Mason isn’t currently listed on the depth chart as Theron West, along with red shirt freshmen Jamal Morrow and Gerard Wicks have shown they can both pass catch and carry the rock. As I previously mentioned 5 time starter last season Teondray Caldwell has been changed to strong safety. The coaching staff is very excited to see the new running backs in action. Finally, The quarterback position. Conner Halliday has gained 12 lbs. of muscle and is currently up around 200 lbs. for the first time in his career. 6′ 4″, Luke Falk will be the back up. As a walk on last season he successfully beat out both Austin Apodaca and Tyler Bruggman during the spring practices ultimately triggering the two scholarship QB’s to decide to transfer. Freshman Peyton Bender form Florida will be the third string QB and most likely he will redshirt. Eric Powell will step up as Kicker. He has a strong leg but will probably not be used for field goals beyond 40 yards until he gains confidence and consistency. Jordan Dascalo and Wes Concepcion will punt. Dascalo has a powerful leg but is a little inconsistent Concepcion only averages about 36 yards so it will be interesting how the punting competition unfolds. I believe the 2015 recruiting class will solve this if neither Powell of Dascalo can prove to develop their craft.
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