PULLMAN – Washington State should transfer ahead with out a key linebacker this season.
Redshirt senior Keith Brown is predicted to overlook your entire season with an harm, based on a supply conversant in the scenario, dealing a pricey blow to the Cougars’ linebacker corps. After approaching sturdy towards the top of final season, Brown earned first-team reps throughout each spring ball and fall camp, signaling he was in line for a beginning function in a possible breakout yr.
Brown is predicted to acquire a medical redshirt and return for a sixth season in 2026, based on a supply.
In Brown’s absence, WSU coaches may flip to redshirt freshman linebacker Anthony Palano, who has earned first-team reps in latest fall camp practices. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 224 kilos, Palano redshirted final season at South Dakota State, then turned one in all 16 SDSU gamers to comply with coach Jimmy Rogers to Pullman.
Primarily based on observations from WSU’s fall camp, which wrapped up on Friday, the Cougars’ beginning linebackers will doubtless embrace Palano and veterans Parker McKenna and Caleb Francl.
Final season, his first at WSU, Brown totaled 26 tackles (2.5 for loss) and one sack. After taking part in sparingly within the first few weeks of the yr, Brown earned extra taking part in time through the use of his velocity to unlock the Cougars’ go rush, which had been struggling. He spent the remainder of the season in a backup function.
A former four-star prospect, Brown began his profession at Oregon, which is in his house state, the place he performed the 2021 and 2022 seasons. He then transferred to Louisville for the 2023 season, showing in solely two video games in a redshirt yr. He transferred to WSU in January 2024.
Brown has been open concerning the perspective he’s gained in his faculty soccer journey. In an interview final season, he admitted a key purpose why he left for Louisville concerned NIL cash, which he assumed meant he can be beginning for the Cardinals.
“My head was simply too large,” Brown mentioned then. “I used to be like, ‘I don’t have to apply onerous. I don’t have to eat proper.’ I may simply form of coast into this place. And that’s simply not the case.”
On July 30, after the Cougs’ first day of fall camp this yr, Brown made it clear he was prepared to make use of his management to mentor youthful gamers – and end his personal profession with a flourish. He described battling by way of a grueling stretch of performs below the blazing-hot solar, explaining he felt compelled to take action as a result of he needed to problem himself, to point out youthful teammates what it takes to succeed at this degree.
Brown could not be capable to do this together with his play this season, however his knowledge may nonetheless make an influence within the Cougars’ linebacker room, which may additionally get a lift from true freshman Sullivan Schlimgen, redshirt freshman Gage Jones and redshirt senior Gavin Barthiel.
WSU’s season begins Aug. 30 with a house matchup in opposition to close by Idaho.
Freshman WR continues to impress on final day of fall camp
The spotlight of Friday’s apply, WSU’s last of fall camp earlier than starting sport preparation subsequent week, belonged to true freshman large receiver Carter Pabst. In a single group interval, he beat his defender off the road of scrimmage, burst upfield and caught an ideal in-stride go from quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, taking it to the top zone for a landing of some 70 yards.
Eckhaus is probably going on observe to win WSU’s QB competitors, which additionally options returner Jaxon Potter and transfers Julian Dugger and Ajani Sheppard, however this second centered extra round Pabst, who put collectively a spectacular camp. Listed at 6-1 and 194 kilos, Pabst was dedicated to SDSU till he adopted Rogers to WSU.
In Friday’s apply and lots of others, Pabst has earned reps with the Cougars’ prime offensive items, and he’s typically made essentially the most of his possibilities. Additionally on Friday, Pabst snagged a sideline catch on a rollout from Eckhaus. Moments later, Pabst hauled in a tricky catch close to the objective line on a throw from Dugger.
A number of WSU freshmen have authored sterling fall camps – together with cornerback Trillion Sorrell and safeties Kyle Peterson and Damarius Russell – however none have come as a shock the best way Pabst has.
It’s unclear what sort of function Pabst may carve out on the wideout spot, the place veterans like Josh Meredith, Devin Ellison and Jeremiah Noga will doubtless earn a majority of snaps, however Pabst could also be forcing coaches’ fingers. Gamers can retain their redshirts by taking part in 4 or fewer video games in a season, which might be a route coaches take with Pabst.
Third-year sophomore DE retains pushing for enjoying time
It is perhaps inconceivable to observe a WSU apply with out noticing redshirt sophomore defensive finish Jack Janikowski, who performs with as a lot vitality as anybody on the group, celebrating his greatest performs in all types of the way: slapping himself on the helmet, swinging his arms, flexing, every little thing.
He had numerous possibilities on Friday, when he logged two sacks, each simulated takedowns within the backfield to stop quarterback accidents. After each, he confirmed the identical form of vitality he’s turn into identified for, a lot to his teammates’ enjoyment.
It was the most recent installment of a compelling fall camp for Janikowski, who has been working towards with the Cougars’ second items on protection. Anticipate him to earn significant snaps when WSU’s season kicks off.
“He’s a type of guys, as a coach, you by no means need to have to fret about his vitality or his effort when he steps out on the sphere,” WSU defensive position coach Jalon Bibbs mentioned after Tuesday’s apply. “He’s a man that’s gonna provide you with 110% each single day. Is there that steadiness? Sure, however we’d a lot reasonably have it on that facet, to the place we’re pushing it somewhat bit on the sting, versus saying, hey, we gotta get going right here somewhat bit.
“And I feel the blokes gravitate in direction of that as nicely. There is perhaps some days the place it’s a little little bit of a lull, however we will all the time rely on Jack to get issues spiced up somewhat bit, and often that intensifies the apply. So he’s a type of leaders that now we have throughout the room from that standpoint as nicely.”
