Transfer Portal Tracker: Breaking Down Cougars’ Returning Players, Newcomers
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Florida Gators wide receiver Tank Hawkins (10) runs with the ball against the UCF Knights during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images [/caption]
With the transfer portal opening on Friday, January 2, players have officially started entering the portal. Entering the portal does not 100% mean a player will be gone next year, as players can always return to their current program. As time rolls on, the Washington State Cougars continue to announce players who have either re-signed with the program or joined via the transfer portal from other schools.
Below are the players Washington State has announced as returning to or joining the Cougs so far:
Returning/Re-Signed Players
Michael Hughes, DE – Originally coming to Washington State as a walk-on, Hughes played in 13 games for the Cougs, recording seven tackles and establishing himself as a solid depth piece.
Malachi Wrice, DE – Wrice has spent his entire career in Pullman and played in five games last season as a redshirt freshman.
Isaiah Hung, LB – A commit who flipped to Wazzu when Jimmy Rogers left South Dakota State, Hung appeared in five games as a true freshman, mainly contributing on special teams.
Kaden Betty, DT – Betty came to Pullman for the 2025 season from Kent State, where he served as a depth piece on the defensive line for the Cougars. He recorded seven tackles while missing time due to injury.
Tony Freeman, WR – A massive retention for Washington State, Freeman withdrew his name from the transfer portal and re-signed with the Cougs. In his second year in Pullman, Freeman was the team’s second-leading receiver with 54 catches for 590 yards and three touchdowns. He also made an impact as a punt returner. Freeman is expected to be a focal point of the offense in 2026.
Trey Leckner, TE – The third-year Coug out of Snohomish has been primarily used as a pass-catching tight end. He recorded 24 receptions for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
Trey Ridley, S – A redshirt freshman transfer from South Dakota State who played primarily on special teams, Ridley will stay put instead of following Rogers to Iowa State.
Kirby Vorhees, RB – Vorhees, who previously played under Rogers at South Dakota State, entered the transfer portal and surprised Cougar fans by re-signing with Washington State. He led the Cougs in rushing last season with 576 yards.
Maxwell Woods, RB – Like Vorhees, Woods transferred to Washington State from South Dakota State and was mainly used as a receiving back. He finished the season strong, rushing for 117 yards in the Cougs’ Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win.
Ashton Tripp, LT – A Kennewick native, Tripp started all 13 games at left tackle last season and is poised for a big redshirt junior year.
Johnny Lester, LG – A returning starter who played in all 13 games last year, Lester - a Spokane native - has spent his entire career at Washington State, starting at left guard and right tackle.
Kyle Martin, C – Originally committing to Wazzu as a walk-on from Sumner, Martin filled in for Brock Dieu during the 2025 season due to injuries. He is expected to compete for the starting center role.
Noah Dunham, RG – Dunham played in nine games, starting two, and has the versatility to play either guard position for the Cougars.
Jaylin Caldwell, RT – Caldwell spent his first three years at Grand Valley State before transferring to Washington State. He previously started games at Ole Miss and Virginia before missing the remainder of the season due to injury. He is expected to push for a starting role.
Keith Brown, LB – Brown began his career at Oregon before transferring to Louisville. He logged 26 tackles in 2024 before missing the 2025 season due to injury.
Jack Stevens, K – Stevens transferred to Wazzu from South Dakota State and made 16 of 19 field goal attempts last season.
Nick Bakken, OL – A transfer from South Dakota State who appeared in one game last season, Bakken will vie for a reserve role among several returning linemen.
Beau Baker, TE – Another South Dakota State transfer, Baker played in all 13 games last season and caught a touchdown against Washington. He is expected to have a larger role in 2026.
Owen Eshelman, QB – Eshelman redshirted last season and has decided to remain in Pullman for his second year with the program.
Players Added Through the Transfer Portal
Jalil Tucker, CB – A highly touted recruit, Tucker began his career at Oregon before spending two seasons at San Diego Mesa College. He transferred to Oregon State, where he started 10 games and recorded 25 tackles last season. Tucker follows defensive coordinator Trent Bray to Pullman and is expected to see significant playing time given his familiarity in the system.
Jaylen Thomas, CB – As a redshirt freshman at San José State, Thomas started all 12 games and recorded 59 tackles. He is expected to be part of the cornerback rotation in 2026.
Nylan Brown, LB – Brown recorded 58 tackles over 22 games during his two seasons at Kent State. With Keith Brown as the only linebacker returning with significant experience, adding Nylan Brown was a key move for the middle of the Cougs’ defense.
Tank Hawkins, WR - Formerly a coveted prospect who had offers from the likes of Alabama and Oregon among others, Hawkins didn’t see a ton of action with Florida in two seasons, catching 12 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. But he’s a speedster with legit 4.25 40-yard dash wheels who immediately will give the Cougs juice they didn’t have on the outside.
