In year one following the Pac-12 drama-filled offseason, WSU football is getting some national recognition. Five athletes have been named to the watchlist for the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the most prestigious offseason collegiate all-star game.
Players from around the NCAA get invited annually to participate in a week of practice and ultimately a televised game where they get to showcase their skills for pro scouts.
A season ago three Cougs participated including edge rusher Brennan Jackson (Rams), corner Chau Smith-Wade (Panthers) and safety Jaden Hicks (Chiefs) who only participated in the practices, not the game.
For Smith-Wade, it rocketed his draft stock as he recorded two interceptions in the game-winning National team MVP. Now five more Cougs have the spotlight, with a chance to earn their place in the event in 2025.
Kyle Williams – Wide Receiver
Coming off three decent seasons at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Williams broke out in 2023 recording a career high in catches (61), yards (842) and touchdowns (6) including several spectacular highlight grabs.
Williams already has some recognition being named to the Biletnikoff Award watchlist for the nation’s top wide receiver, but now gains even more.
Now with the transfer deperature of Josh Kelly, Williams has the reigns in the WSU receiver room and could have another big season to add to his case for the Senior Bowl.
Fa’alili Fa’amoe – Offensive Tackle
Coming off of off-season knee surgery, ‘Lili’ as he is called around the facilities, is looking to bounce back with a healthy 2024 season.
He has already been named to the Outland Trophy watchlist for the nation’s top interior offensive lineman and to the Polynesian Player of the Year watchlist. Now he looks to protect new quarterback John Mateer’s blindside this year.
Nusi Malani – Edge Rusher
Malani started the 2023 season as the Cougs top defensive tackle, before moving back out to the edge towards the end of the season. In year four, he recorded a career-high 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks and now has the chance to improve once again, potentially to the Senior Bowl level.
Syrus Webster – Edge Rusher
Supplementing Malani on the edge in the joint effort to replace Jackson and Ron Stone Jr. is Syrus Webster, a senior transfer from Utah Tech.
Webster played three seasons at UT, recording a new career-high 77 tackles in 2023, racking up five sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
If the three-star transfer can replicate or improve upon those numbers with the increase in competition in 2024, he could earn the title of Senior Bowl attendee, not just a member of the watchlist.
Kapena Gushiken – Cornerback
Primarily a nickel corner, Gushiken rotated with Jackson Lataimua all of 2023. Gushiken racked up 36 tackles, five passes defended and a sack in his first year at WSU after transferring from Saddle College in California.
Gushiken also made one of the biggest plays of the season, returning his lone interception 88 yards for a touchdown against UCLA.
The nickel position is ever-growing in importance at both the collegiate and professional levels, and every team needs talent at that spot. As a result, teams and scouts are looking far closer at prospects at the position like Gushiken, who now is getting national attention.
Last year the Cougs saw six of their players on the Reese’s Senior Bowl watchlist in the preseason and only three (two from the watchlist) were invited to the event. So even though on the watchlist, these five Cougs still have to prove their skill and earn their invitations this Fall.
Their first chance is at noon, August 31 against Portland State at Gesa Field.
