Cougar football has been hit hard by the injury bug this season on the defensive side of the ball. Next year should be better, thanks to starting defensive tackle Max Baloun, who is expected to obtain a medical redshirt and come back for his seventh season. Baloun spent his first five seasons at South Dakota State before transferring to WSU in January, following head coach Jimmy Rogers.

Baloun started the first four games this season before suffering a season-ending knee injury in the Apple Cup. Prior to his injury, Baloun recorded four tackles, including one sack. The stats do not show everything he did. Baloun used his 6-foot-6 frame to clog runs up the middle. On top of that, he pressured quarterbacks six times this season. 

If the Cougars get Baloun back, the defense will look to improve greatly next season. Players still with eligibility for next season include starters Bryson Lamb, Isaac Terrell and redshirt sophomore Jack Janikowski. Assuming these players are not lost to the ever-fearful transfer portal, the Cougar defensive line will be a force to be reckoned with in the new Pac-12 conference starting next season.