WSU signed 23 new players on early signing day Wednesday morning, 12 of which man the defensive side of the ball.
Without further ado, introducing the 12 new members of the Cougar defense.
Lucan Amituanai – Edge rusher, 6’4″, 235lbs, Sacramento, Calif.
As a senior Amituanai had 68 tackles and 10 sacks at Elk Grove High School, earning All-Delta League honors. He was rated as a three-star prospect by 247sports.
“Lucan had 10 sacks. He’s power, he’s going to be big-time. He’s almost ready to go right now. Want to get him in the summer,” Dickert said.
Luke Webb – Edge rusher, 6’2″, 235lbs, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Webb moved to Washington for his senior season at Camas High School where he led his team to a 13-0 record and a birth in the Washington 4A State Championship game Dec.7. He recorded 65 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks.
He was named All-Greater St. Helens League First Team and a three-star prospect by 247sports, as well as the No. 13 player in Washington.
“Luke Webb started off down at Orange, finished in Camas in Washington as an elite style player like Bobby Terrell,” Dickert said.
Malijah Tucker – Defensive line, 5’11”, 275lbs, Tumwater, Wash.
As a senior at Tumwater High School Tucker was named Evergreen League Co-Defensive MVP after recording 51 tackles, 14 tackles-for-loss, six sacks, two fumble recoveries, three passes batted down and two blocked kicks.
His team will play for a 2A State Championship Saturday in Seattle.
He was rated a three-star prospect by 247sports and the No. 13 prospect in Washington.
Josiah Pratt – Defensive line, 6’0″, 300lbs, Houston, Texas
Pratt totaled 62 tackles, 17 tackles-for-loss and four sacks as a senior leading Summer Creek High School to an 11-2 record and a spot in the Class 6A Division II regional final Dec. 6.
He was rated a three-star prospect by 247sports. He will enroll in January and participate in Spring camp.
“Coug fans will know, they now know Ansel [Din-Mbuh] and Khalil [Laufau]. Very similar to those two guys in a couple of years. Josiah is the power, and Malijah is just lightning in a bottle,” Dickert said.
AJ Tuitele – Linebacker, 6’3″, 210lbs, North Las Vegas, Nev.
Earning one varsity letter at Mojave High School, Tuitele led his team to a 12-1 record, winning the Nevada 4A State Championship. He recorded 167 tackles, 37 tackles-for-loss and four sacks.
He was rated a three-star prospect by 247sports, the No. 49 inside linebacker in the country and the No. 11 player in Nevada.
“AJ Tuitele out of Vegas, he’s a state champion. Some of these numbers you have to wonder, who’s tallying? AJ had 167 tackles in high school. He had 37 TFLs. So either he’s paying the stats guy or this stuff is amazing. It’s awesome to watch,” Dickert said.
Jovan Clark – Linebacker, 5’11”, 200lbs, Chicago, Ill.
Clark earned four varsity letters at Morgan Park High School, recording 92 tackles, 13 for loss, six sacks and two interceptions as a senior, leading his team to an appearance in the Illinois 5A State Championship.
He was named to News-Gazette’s All-State First Team and Chicago Public League Coaches All-Public League First Team.
247sports rated him a three-star prospect and the No. 34 overall player in Illinois. He will enroll in January and participate in Spring camp.
“Jovan is a utility knife. He played a little bit of safety, but he’ll be more down in the box in our scheme,” Dickert said.
Ishmael Gibbs – Defensive back, 5’11”, 170lbs, Los Angeles, Calif.
Gibbs recorded 48 tackles and five interceptions, including two pick-sixes while breaking up 15 passes as a junior at Chaminade High School. He was rated a three-star prospect by 247sports and the No. 88 overall player in California.
He will enroll in January and participate in Spring camp.
“Ish out the gate, exceptional speed, can play corner, can slide in and be a nickel guy,” Dickert said.
Aiden Knapke – Defensive back, 6’0″, 195lbs, Aurora, Colo.
Knapke played four seasons of varsity football at Cherry Creek High School leading his team to a 12-1 record, Centennial League Championship and a spot in the Colorado State Championship game as a senior. He collected 106 tackles with two interceptions that season.
He earned All-State, All-Conference, All-Colorado and Academic All-State honors. He will enroll in January and participate in Spring camp.
“Aiden Knapke is just a ball-playing Jesse. He’s one of those guys, and I joked with him last night. If he could catch, he’d have 10 picks. He’s out there making plays,” Dickert said.
David Kuku – Defensive back, 5’11”, 175lbs, Kennewick, Wash.
Kuku played three seasons at Kamiakin High School. As a senior he was named All-Mid-Columbia Conference First Team defensive back and second team wide receiver. He was named the Washington State Football Coaches Association 4A Defensive Player of the Year and rated a three-star prospect by 247sports.
He was ranked the No. 78 corner in the nation and the seventh-best overall prospect in Washington.
David, obviously local. Got to see David compete at the Pacific Northwest Showcases. He’s a hell of a competitor, right from the Tri-Cities,” Dickert said.
Gaylon McNeal – Defensive back, 5’11”, 180lbs, Fort Worth, Texas
McNeal led his team to a 13-0 record as a senior, reaching the 2024 UIL Texas Football 6A d1 Championship quarterfinal on Dec. 7. 247sports rated him a three-star prospect.
“Gaylon was one we got on really as a senior. In my mind, it’s like Daniel Isom. (Isom) played corner, he played nickel, he played strong, he played free. It’s a really unique blend of skill sets. He was a 4.4 laser 40 [yard dash] out of North Crowley, which is one of the best high schools in Texas,” Dickert said.
Kyle Peterson – Defensive back, 6’0″, 185lbs, Pearland, Texas
As a senior, Peterson led his team to a 9-2 record totaling 48 tackles and six passes defended. He was a unanimous All-District 22-6A First Team selection. 247sports rated him a three-star prospect and the No. 95 safety in the nation.
“Kyle Peterson will be a big, strong safety. A big, physical guy to come in here,” Dickert said.
Jamarey Smith – Defensive back, 6’1″, 180lbs, Santa Clarita, Calif.
Smith played three years at Oaks Christian High School, totaling 60 tackles and two interceptions as a senior. He was rated a three-star prospect by 247sports and will enroll in January and participate in Spring camp.
“Jamarey Smith, another mid-year enrolled to ensure that safety position, so versatility is at a premium,” Dickert said.
To learn about the other 11 new Cougs, make sure to check out the Cougar signing day, offense edition.
