The Spring transfer portal season is in full swing. After losing a few depth pieces, the Cougs added to their secondary with a pair of Rebels and to their line with a former opponent in 2023.
WSU secured commitments from UNLV grad transfer safety Jerrae Williams and grad transfer corner Ricky Johnson III. Both announced their commitments via social media Tuesday.
In 2023, Williams had 24 tackles, one interception, a career-high three sacks and two fumble recoveries. In 2022 he had 54 tackles and two interceptions, totaling 79 tackles over three seasons with three fumble recoveries and two passes defended for the Rebels.
Johnson in 2023 had 36 tackles and seven pass breakups over 11 games. He has 78 tackles to go along with four interceptions, 10 pass breakups and a fumble recovery over his career at UNLV.
Williams and Johnson are the second and third transfers added to the Cougar secondary after adding Tyson Durant to the mix from Akron during the initial transfer period. They add extra veteran depth following the losses of the Cougars starting two safeties and corners to the NFL.
Williams is set to compete with redshirt junior Jackson Lataimua, redshirt freshman Adrian Wilson, senior Tanner Moku and many more under and upperclassmen.
Meanwhile, Johnson will compete, depending on whether he plays inside or outside, with returning corners in senior Kapena Gushiken and redshirt juniors Jamorri Colson and Stephen Hall.
Wazzu also added to their offensive line, securing a commitment from Northern Colorado lineman Austin Lawrence. The 6-foot, 5-inch redshirt junior played in 10 games for the Bears last season including at Gesa Field against the Cougs in week four. He announced his commitment via social media Tuesday.
Lawrence is a native of Puyallup, Washington, attending Puyallup High School before spending three seasons at UNC.
UNC running backs carried for 113.3 rushing yards per game behind him and the Bears offensive line in 2023, something the Cougs are looking to recreate in 2024.Â
Despite returning four starting offensive linemen, the WSU offensive front was ravaged by injuries in the Spring (don’t capitalize -AA). Three of the four returning starters missed time during Spring camp and no offensive line has ever had too much depth.
One thing is for certain, the WSU secondary will look almost entirely different in 2024 with Williams and Johnson now in that mix as well, and the Cougar offensive line just gained necessary extra depth.
