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?
Kirby Vorhees
Originally arriving at Washington State with Jimmy Rogers from South Dakota State, Vorhees surprised many Cougar fans when he chose to stay in Pullman for another season and play under Moore rather than follow Rogers to Iowa State, opting to exit the transfer portal without changing schools for a second straight year.
Last year, Vorhees emerged as Washington State’s top running back after opening the year lower on the depth chart, leading the team with 576 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Once the Cougars plugged Zevi Eckhaus into the lineup and started to receive better quarterback play, he really found his stride in the second half of the season. He scored touchdowns in five of his final seven games and posted a season-high 88 rushing yards against Ole Miss, nearly helping orchestrate what would have been a monumental road upset against an eventual College Football Playoff participant.
With the most momentum in his corner after that strong finish, Vorhees should be viewed as the favorite to retain the starting running back role and could even be the team’s bell cow back in 2026.
Maxwell Woods
Another running back who followed Rogers to Washington State, Woods also decided to remain with the program heading into year two, providing a fun change of pace back to pair with Vorhees.
Woods carved out a role as a receiving back who primarily played on third downs and came on strong late in the season. Notably, 25 of his 36 carries came in the final two regular season games and a Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win. He finished the 2025 season with 225 rushing yards on 36 carries and added 18 receptions for 138 yards. Expect Woods to remain part of the rotation and continue contributing in the passing game, especially on screens, as he could be Moore’s go-to third down specialist in 2026.
Leo Pulalasi
Pulalasi, a Lakewood, Washington native, returns for his fourth year in Pullman. Despite inconsistent opportunities last season with Vorhees and Woods getting the lion share of the reps down the stretch, he made the most of his touches, rushing 38 times for 205 yards and adding 12 receptions for 77 yards.
It was Pulalasi, not Woods, who ranked second on the team in rushing yards per game behind Voorhees and he should once again factor into the running back rotation this fall. A fun competition could be on tap between him and Woods in a battle of backs with contrasting styles vying for the second spot to spell Vorhees.
Tremayne Hill
Hill, who originally committed to Washington State last year with Rogers as head coach, honored his commitment to the Cougars even after the coaching change to Moore.
The Katy, Texas native was rated as a three-star prospect (85 overall) by 247 Sports and brings an impressive high school resume with him to Pullman. As a senior, Hill rushed for 2,203 yards and 32 touchdowns. At 5-10 and 210 pounds, he projects as a physical back with solid speed, highlighted by an 11.06-second 100-meter dash as a junior track athlete, and it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if he gives the three returning veteran backs a run for their money early pushing for playing time as a freshman.
