Analysis: Tony Freeman Headlines Mostly Revamped Cougars’ WR Corps
With Kirby Moore taking over as the new head coach at Washington State, the Cougars will have an almost new receiving room in 2026, with a few old standbys and several intriguing newcomers to watch heading towards training camp this summer.
Returning after briefly testing the transfer portal, Tony Freeman is probably the most proven receiver in this group right now. The third-year Coug had a strong 2025 season, hauling in 54 catches for 590 yards and three touchdowns. At 5-8, Freeman is a smaller but extremely shifty receiver who not only finished as the Cougars’ second-leading pass catcher last season, but also became a dynamic weapon in the return game, earning 2025 Pac-12 Special Teams Performer honors with 415 punt return yards.
As the other noteworthy wideout to stay in Pullman after the coaching change, Brandon Ganashamoorthy will enter his fourth season with the program hoping to take on a larger role in Moore’s offense. The former walk-on and Monroe native was primarily used as a blocking receiver last season and brings solid size at 6-3 and 194 pounds. Ganashamoorthy caught five passes for 42 yards in 2025 and will hope to carve out a more consistent piece of the pie in the passing game while playing for his third coach in as many seasons.
Away from Freeman and Ganashamoorthy, the Cougars will lean on a number of transfer acquisitions, starting with Daniel Blood.
Washington State Names Jon Harrlow as Permanent Athletic Director, Removes Interim Label
Washington State University athletics has officially named Jon Haarlow as its full-time athletic director, promoting him after he served in the interim role since November.
Haarlow stepped in as interim AD following the dismissal of former athletic director Anne McCoy. Prior to that, he had been serving as the university’s senior associate athletic director and chief financial officer since 2021, where he built a reputation for strong financial leadership and strategic planning.
Analysis: Cougars Set to Enjoy Continuity at Running Back as Spring Ball Kicks Off
With spring ball getting underway in Pullman, while first-year coach Kirby Moore will have a lot of new faces donning crimson and grey on the practice field for the first time, the Washington State Cougars will have a surprising amount of continuity in the backfield.
In a rarity in today’s college football landscape with the transfer portal leading to mass roster changes each spring, the Cougars return several familiar faces and solid production at running back from last season despite the coaching change, including their top two rushers from a year ago returning.
As spring football kicks off, who will be back in action for the Cougars in the backfield and who has the edge to land significant playing time in Moore’s offense rolling towards the 2026 season?
Analysis: All Eyes on Caden Pinnick, Cougars’ Quarterback Room Entering Spring Ball
Though the Washington State Cougars managed to reach a bowl game in the lone season under former coach Jimmy Rogers, they did so with uneven play from multiple quarterbacks, as Jaxon Potter opened the season before being benched in favor of Zevi Eckhaus.
Potter began the year as Wazzu’s starter under center, but a horrendous performance in a blowout loss to North Texas cost him the job, and Eckhaus took the reins from there. The senior signal caller provided a lift for the Cougars by throwing 15 touchdowns and rushing for eight scores, but he still battled turnover issues, throwing 12 interceptions in 11 games.
Under new head coach Kirby Moore, the Cougars bring a mix of proven production, returning experience, and intriguing young talent into 2026, but it remains to be seen who will start. As spring football approaches in Pullman, with Eckhaus graduating and Potter transferring, who has the edge in a Washington State quarterback room featuring an exiting newcomer and two returning signal callers?
Analysis: Breaking Down Washington State’s 2026 Football Schedule
Washington State has officially released its 2026 football schedule, marking the first season of the rebranded Pac-12 era with seven conference opponents. In year one under head coach Kirby Moore, the Cougars will face a challenging and intriguing slate filled with the Apple Cup, Power Four opponents, and newly-minted conference matchups.
Who will the Cougs play and which games stand out as their toughest draws entering the Moore era? Starting with their biggest state rivals, there won’t be an easing in period for Wazzu.
Cougars Transfer Portal: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and What’s the Impact for Wazzu Football?
With a new head coach taking over for a second straight year, the Cougars will likely undergo major roster turnover with several key starters already hitting the transfer portal. Who will bolt Pullman and who will join Kirby Moore’s squad via the portal?
ALL SEATTLE SPORTS, ALL THE TIME
Explore our latest Seattle sports content by clicking on your favorite team(s) below!
