The first domino has fallen. WSU true freshman running back Wayshawn Parker announced via X Thursday that he has entered the transfer portal.
From Parker’s statement:
“First I would like to thank God who is the head of my life for blessing me with the talent and opportunity to play the game I am passionate about. I want to thank the whole Wazzu organization, coaches, and Ms. Aria my advisor for believing in me and giving me this opportunity to show my talent on the field for the past year I have been here. I will never forget the time I had here with Wazzu. With that being said I would like to announce that I will be entering the transfer portal with left 3 years of eligibility!! Thank you Wazzu!”
Parker quickly became the Cougs bell cow in 2024, leading Cougar running backs with 137 carries for 735 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
He broke onto the scene with eight carries for 96 yards and a 54-yard rushing touchdown to accompany a 52-yard receiving touchdown in week one vs Portland State.
WSU Running back Wayshawn Parker runs away from defenders in a 70-30 win over Portland State at Gesa Field Saturday, August 31, 2024.
After a slow stretch, he had a career day against Utah State, rushing 11 times for a season-high 149 yards and two touchdowns.
As a high school senior, Parker broke out for 1,907 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns, averaging 14 yards per carry and running a 10.9 100-yard dash.
Just being a true freshman, there is still plenty of growth to come for Parker, who now will take his talents elsewhere.
It remains to be seen if WSU will retain the remainder of the running back room, but should they be successful in doing so, the Cougs have other options at the tailback spot.
The first option is sophomore Leo Pulalasi, who handled 51 carries for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt sophomore Djouvensky Schlenbaker also took 41 carries for 145 yards and three touchdowns.
One outside-the-box option is Josh Joyner, a true freshman who was part of the 2024 class with Parker. Joyner was a three-star recruit from Oxnard, Calif. who ran for 782 yards and nine touchdowns as a senior and was a basketball and track athlete as well. He was rated the No. 58 running back in California out of high school, higher than Parker.
The Cougs also have other in-house options including redshirt junior Dylan Paine, who suffered a season-ending injury in 2024, redshirt junior Jalen Ridgeway, redshirt freshman Lane Heeringa and true freshman Allan McKeraghan.
Last but not least, there is also the newest Coug, incoming freshman Jamar Searcy from Pittsburgh, Calif., a three-star recruit.
Should John Mateer stay, the Cougs will also have the consistent threat of the quarterback run, but every Batman needs a Robin, and the Cougs will need to find out who that is before the 2025 season.
Parker is the first Coug in the portal this offseason, with the Cougs still needing a new offensive and defensive coordinator. More may come, stay tuned.
