Three burning questions for WSU as spring ball schedule is released
WASHINGTON STATE OFFICIALLY announced late Monday that spring football for the Cougars will begin March 21. WSU will practice three times a week, with 7 a.m. starts on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays. The spring game will be at 3 on April 22, with the Pac-12 Network carrying it. But as spring ball nears, questions loom.
The 15 practices in March and April will begin to lend some answers.
WHAT DOES THE OFFENSIVE LINE LOOK LIKE?
No position will be more scrutinized than the offensive line during the spring. It was an adventure for WSU last year, and the Cougars lost two starters in Jarrett Kingston and Grant Stephens.
Konner Gomness is a safe bet at center, but otherwise it is wide open. Christian Hilborn, Christy Nkanu, Ma'ake Fifita, Eliesa Pole and Fa'alili Fa'amoe are among the lead contenders for the four spots.
But another part to monitor is the development of the youngsters. A lack of depth hurt WSU. There needs to be significant growth from the younger players under OL coach Clay McGuire to a point where they can step into a role and succeed if called upon. How WSU's season goes may well depend on the o-line, which has plenty of room for improvement.
WHAT DO THE NEW FACES BRING TO THE TABLE?
A whopping 15 new scholarship players will be making their WSU debuts in spring ball. Seven are transfers in Nkanu, linebackers Devin Richardson, Ahmad McCullough and Isaiah Paul, and wide receivers Isaiah Hamilton, Kyle Williams and Josh Kelly. Five are JC signees with Pole, wide receiver DT Sheffield, defensive backs Kapena Gushiken, Stephen Hall and Jamorri Colson. Three are early prep enrollees: wide receiver Carlos Hernandez, cornerback Warren Smith and defensive tackle Ansel Din-Mbuh.
The transfers and JC signees are expected to step in and play immediately or at least compete for a role, but do not discount Hernandez, Smith or Din-Mbuh as well. Those three will provide the first glimpse as to how the 2023 signing class turns out. And with a completely different look at wide receiver and linebacker, the new faces in those units will likely give an impression of what to expect.
WHAT DO THE NEW COORDINATORS HAVE COOKING?
Spring ball will be the first time new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and defensive coordinator Jeff Schmedding get to put their systems in place at WSU in a true practice setting. While the overall feel of practice will likely look the same under Jake Dickert, there are likely to be minor alterations.
But it will also be a chance to look hard at Arbuckle's offense and Schmedding's defense. There will still be a lot of installation, but Arbuckle's offense in particular will be a key story line as he brings his flavor to Pullman.
Here is WSU's 2023 spring football schedule
- March 21, 7 a.m.
- March 23, 7 a.m.
- March 25, 10:15 a.m.
- March 28, 7 a.m.
- March 30, 7 a.m.
- April 1, 10:15 a.m., Scrimmage
- April 4, 7 a.m.
- April 6, 7 a.m.
- April 8, 10:15 a.m.
- April 11, 7 a.m.
- April 13, 7 a.m.
- April 15, 10:15 a.m., Scrimmage
- April 18, 7 a.m.
- April 20, 7 a.m.
- April 22 (Spring Game)
