December 9: WSU cornerback Chau Smith-Wade announced he will be foregoing his remaining eligibility and entering the 2024 NFL Draft. 

The star corner announced his decision on his Instagram, thanking God, teammates, coaches and the fans.

“I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE COUG FANS FOR TAKING ME IN AND TREATING ME LIKE FAMILY,” his statement said in bold.

Smith-Wade accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl prior to the Apple Cup, he was named to the bowl’s watchlist in the preseason as well.

Despite not playing after October 28, Smith-Wade had the third-highest coverage grade among Pac-12 corners before his injury and was in the top five in that category in 2022. 

On the season he had 36 total tackles and six passes defended, often not being targeted by opposing teams’ quarterbacks. 

Now the redshirt junior from Denver, Colorado has several chances to keep building his stock. Once healthy, a solid Pro Day and performance in the Senior Bowl and throughout the televised week of practice could skyrocket his draft position much like it did for linebacker Daiyan Henley a year ago.

The Cougs now will be without their top three corners from the 2023 season going forward, with the losses of Cam Lampkin to the draft and Javan Robinson to the transfer portal. Reserve corners Stephen Hall and Jamorri Colson, who saw their playing time increase by year’s end, could now see even more in 2024, or the Cougs could do some portal hunting of their own.

For Smith-Wade, he goes from locking down the Palouse to looking to lock down a place to play on Sundays in 2024.