Washington State Cougars Football Offseason Preview

The Washington State Cougars went through a wild season in 2021, a season unlike any other in the United States. No other college football program had the same crazy set of plot points the Cougars faced. Their one-of-a-kind journey was certainly an education in how to face adversity and uncertainty, because Washington State never really escaped those realities last year.

Nick Rolovich, the second-year coach of the program, refused to get vaccinated and was therefore terminated by Washington State midway through the season because it had set a deadline by which university employees had to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Rolovich and three other assistants were willing to walk away from a coveted, high-paying job over the matter. This extraordinary, unprecedented situation led to the installment of interim head coach Jake Dickert, who had been the defensive coordinator. Everyone wondered how the program would handle this lightning bolt of controversy and disruption in the middle of its season.

Dickert did really well. He guided Washington State to a decisive Apple Cup rivalry game win over Washington. Washington State finished in the top half of the Pac-12 North Division. Dickert was retained and kept on as permanent head coach, giving him a chance to develop this program.

Cam Ward, a transfer from an FCS program, Immaculate Word, is the new quarterback for this team in 2022. Experts believe he brings a lot of upside to the most important position on the field. Optimism runs high in Pullman that the new coach and new quarterback can lead a revival.

Key Personnel Lost

Offensive tackle Abraham Lucas, quarterback Jayden de Laura, defensive back Jaylen Watson, Nick Rolovich and three other assistants are all gone. There are significant changes at a lot of important positions, on and off the field, for this team in 2022. The 2021 season provided a lot of disruptions, and it will be important for this team to show that after a relatively calm offseason, Washington State can regroup and put its best foot forward this year. Lucas, in particular, is a top-quality player. Losing him up front will require a significant adjustment.

Important Incoming Freshmen

Tight end Andre Dollar, linebacker Taariq Al-Uqdah, offensive tackle Eric Wilder, running back Djouvensky Schlenbaker, and offensive tackle Zack Miller are just some of the new faces coming into the program under Dickert’s leadership. There is a question about how players will respond to Dickert after having been recruited by Rolovich, but this incoming freshman class has been recruited by Dickert himself and should not have problems being integrated into the program.

Key Position Battles

The offensive line is the key, with Lucas gone. Getting the replacements to play well in front of Cam Ward is vital to this team’s success. Dickert is a defense-first head coach, so he needs the offensive line to provide stability to the offense and make this transition year a smooth one for Washington State.

Biggest Offseason Goal(s)

The Cougars will try to challenge Oregon in the Pac-12 North Division. To do that, they need an offense which can help the defense. It starts with developing the offensive line, but it also involves establishing a rapport between Ward and his receivers. These are the central goals for the Cougars before Week 1 in September.