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.
After playing for Moore at Missouri, Blood came over to Washington State and received positive reviews during spring ball. In three years with the Tigers, Blood caught 15 passes for 152 yards. Already familiar with Moore’s system, he’s projected to receive plenty of snaps once September rolls around. The 5-10, 189-pound wideout out of Destrehan also has family ties on staff, as his older brother, JR Blood, serves as WSU’s director of football strategy.
Once viewed as one of the top prospects to come out of Oregon, including ranking first in the state and 144th nationally according to 247Sports while earning four-star status, Darrius Clemons originally began his career at Michigan before transferring to Oregon State. During his junior season with the Beavers, Clemons caught 29 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns. He missed his senior year due to injury before transferring to Washington State. At 6-3, 220 pounds, the big-bodied receiver has sights on being a key factor for the Cougars coming off injury and using his size to make an impact in Moore’s offense.
Tank Hawkins transferred in from Florida and immediately brings elite speed to the Cougars’ receiver room. He has reportedly been clocked with a 4.25-second 40-yard dash, and his ability to instantly flip field position makes him dangerous anytime he touches the football. While he is still developing as a complete receiver, the athletic upside is easy to see. Across two seasons at Florida, Hawkins caught 12 passes for 116 yards. The speedy receiver hopes to earn more consistent offensive snaps in Pullman and his speed should immediately become a weapon for the Cougars.
Jordan Dees gives Washington State another big body on the outside. The transfer from West Georgia checks in at 6-4, 193 pounds and he put together a solid 2025 season with 35 catches for 508 yards and three touchdowns. Dees projects as more of a possession and red zone target who can use his frame to win contested catches. Pairing him alongside Clemons gives WSU two bigger outside receivers that can help balance out the smaller speed options in the room such as Hawkins.
Though there will be an acclimation period breaking in so many new faces, Washington State will enter 2026 with what should be a superior receiving corps in terms of talent compared to a year ago. The group appears to bring a strong mix of size and speed to the equation and Moore will be aiming to unleash a much more potent passing game as a result when the Cougars open their season against Washington on September 5.
