Analysis: Breaking Down Cougars Returning 2025 Defensive Players
With Jake Dickert and his staff departed for Wake Forest and coach Jimmy Rogers taking over in the Palouse, there was a mass exodus of players out of Pullman for the Washington State Cougars heading towards the 2025 season.
Here’s some of the defensive players to keep an eye on who will be returning in the Crimson and Gray for 2025:
Raam Stevenson, DE
An edge rusher who has spent his whole career in Pullman, Stevenson should be a solid contributor on defense this year as a redshirt senior. Last year, he had 15 tackles along with three tackles for loss and two sacks. He is projected to be a starter on the defensive line along with bringing veteran leadership in the locker room.
Bryson Lamb, DT
A former walk-on from Bellingham, Lamb found his way into the defensive line rotation last season and made 18 tackles and recovered one fumble with an uptick in playing time. He’s a big body listed at 6-2, 301 pounds that is expected to plug up the middle and help the Cougars against the run in 2025.
Isaac “Bobby” Terrell, DE
Now going into his third season in the program, Terrell made 12 tackles - including one for a loss - a year ago and he is expected to take a big jump this year. He has played well in limited snaps in his career and has with more consistent playing time should be a breakout candidate to watch for Wazzu’s defensive line.
COUGAR FOOTBALL!@ParkerMckenna44 & Bryson Lamb with the hit and pick up!
WATCH | @TheCW_Sports #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/RYe4QsLG7Q— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) October 19, 2024
Parker McKenna, LB
A Portland State transfer, McKenna is entering his second year in the Cougars program. In his last season at Portland State, he had 75 tackles, including nine for a loss, leading to him being named All Big Sky honorable mention. He finished with 39 tackles along with one sack in his first year in Pullman. He is expected to be a starting linebacker this upcoming year and take on more of a leadership role and has been comfortable in the switch to a 4-3 defense.
Keith Brown, LB
After starting his career at Oregon and finding his way at Louisville for one season, Brown is back in Pullman offering the ability to bring pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the linebacker spot. Last year, Brown contributed 26 tackles and he should play a bigger role this year, looking to be in competition for a starting linebacker spot. Regardless, his ability to blitz will land him on the field as a sub-package player at minimum.
STUFFED💪 @KeithBrown2121 pic.twitter.com/s4KfI9UVkj— Washington State Football (@WSUCougarFB) October 27, 2024
Jamorri Colson, CB
Originally coming to WSU after spending three years at Iowa Western Community College, Colson only appeared in eight games after missing a few due to a broken jawbone. He was a part of the corner rotation last year, producing 13 tackles along with one interception. He is expected to push for a starting spot during fall camp after taking the majority of the starting quarterback reps in spring ball.
