WAZZU WEEKLY: Henley is a Charger, men’s basketball recruits a national champion

Wazzu Weekly May 1, 2023

WSU+linebacker+Daiyan+Henley+lunges+for+Arizona+State+running+back+Xazavian+Valladay+during+an+NCAA+football+game%2C+Nov.+12.

JULIAN CABALLERO

WSU linebacker Daiyan Henley lunges for Arizona State running back Xazavian Valladay during an NCAA football game, Nov. 12.

SAM TAYLOR, Evergreen sports co-editor

It is always a great week to be a Coug, but this week was certainly packed with highlights.

First and foremost, Daiyan Henley, who proudly said “I’m representing the Cougs,” in March after his Pro Day was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, a team who plays their NFL games 12 minutes away from where Henley played high school football.

Staying in the land of pro-Cougs, Morgan Weaver continues to exhibit why Cougar soccer is just different on a professional stage. Weaver took an excellent pass, gained space and delivered the drive-by shot on and in the goal as she was headed past it to give the Portland Thorns the lead.

And finally, WSU men’s basketball recruited a national champion in Joseph Yesufu, the Kansas Jayhawk transfer. Yesufu figures to replace TJ Bamba as a high-scoring temp-setter for the Cougs.

In the final week of school, your Daily Evergreen will create our commencement edition, recognizing the seniors who made WSU and the Daily Evergreen special.

Featured Stories

WSU’s club wrestling team earned variety club status in 2023, joining the rowing club team as the only varsity club sports at WSU.

Julie Wilson has been a huge part of this resurgence of college wrestling in Pullman.

COURTESY OF WSU WRESTLING
All-American WSU wrestlers Julie Wilson and Petra Bernsten at the national championships, March, 2023 in Puerto Rico

WSU’s two time All-American wrestler: Julie Wilson

WSU’s wrestling team makes varsity club status

Sports management seniors hosted a 1v1 football competition as a fundraiser for Hilinski’s Hope Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting resources for mental health. The event organizers invited the brother and father of Tyler Hilinski, the late WSU QB who committed suicide and inspired the creation of the organization, to spread their message of the importance of talking about and addressing mental health challenges.

BRANDON WILLMAN

Football competition raises money for Hilinski’s Hope 

HAILEE SPEIR
WSU quarterback Cameron Ward throws a pass during the WSU football spring game, Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.

WSU football

Henley was not the only Cougar football player to earn a contract from an NFL team, as the New York Jets signed cornerback Derrick Langford.

On April 22, WSU football concluded their spring camp with the annual Crimson and Gray game. Quarterback Cam Ward led Team Crimson to a dominant 42-14 win, but don’t be too concerned about that defense as starters such as the Cougar’s two senior edges, Ron Stone Jr. and Brennan Jackson, were out of the game following the first series, leaving room for younger guys to play.

Cam Ward looks more comfortable in new coordinator’s offense

Rating WSU spring game quarterback play 

BRANDON WILLMAN
QB John Mateer looks down the field with hopes to make a big play, April 22.

WSU men’s basketball

Courtesy of WSU Athletics
WSU has landed another serious scorer from the portal, this time with national championship experience: Joseph Yesufu.

WSU men’s basketball welcomed two men to the Palouse last week: D-II transfer Jaylen Wells and national champion Joseph Yesufu.

WSU men’s hoops lands second transfer, national champion Joseph Yesufu

WSU baseball

JULIAN CABALLERO
WSU Outfield Jonah Advincula runs to third base at an NCAA Baseball Game against Santa Clara April 22, 2023. Pullman, Wash.

Baseball walked in Salk Lake City, looking to make up some ground in the Pac-12 Conference; instead, they were swept by the last-place Utah Utes, who won just their fifth, sixth and seventh Pac-12 games against the Cougs.

Baseball demolishes Utah Valley Wednesday with 11-run victory

WSU women’s basketball

WSU rowing

WSU rowing wins 2V8 race at Lake Wheeler Invitational

WSU tennis

Tennis saw a winless Conference season remain so and come to and end in the 2023 Pac-12 Tennis Championships, as the Cougs lost to USC in the first round.

WSU finishes regular season with a loss in Seattle 

NFL

Packers trade Aaron Rodgers to New York Jets in familiar deal

That is all for this week. Thank you for reading and go Cougs!