Analysis: Breaking Down Cougars’ Kicker/Punter Depth After Spring Ball
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Washington State kicker Jack Stevens attempts a field goal during a spring practice in April in Pullman. Credit: Jack Stevens/Instagram [/caption]
Special teams proved to be an up and down adventure for the Washington State Cougars last season. With Nick Haberer injured and missing most of the year, Dean Janikowski had to do most of the kicking and punting.
Following the graduation of one of the only two players left from the Mike Leach era in Janikowski and the transfer of a multi-year starter in Haberer, there is almost a completely brand-new kicking/punting room in Pullman. As Washington State looks to replace two special teams pinnacles, there seems to be an early favorite in each of the kicking and punting departments as training camp approaches.
The Favorites
Jack Stevens
Previously a backup kicker at South Dakota State before following coach Jimmy Rogers to Pullman, the Cougars expect Stevens to be the player kicking field goals this year. In limited time at SDSU, he had two kickoff attempts and a single field goal attempt as a true freshman. There were positive reports coming out of spring ball with special teams coach Pat Cashmore telling Cougfan’s Jamey Vinnick that “Stevens has done a really good job with field goal kicking.” With four years of eligibility remaining, he could be the kicker in Pullman for years to come.
Ryan Harris
The only returning specialist from last year’s squad, Harris will be the favorite to be the kickoff specialist and punter this season. He separated himself in spring ball and looks to be an important player for the Cougs to improve upon the third phase of the game. He played in three games due to injury for the Cougs last year after walking on from San Diego Mesa College. On 23 kickoffs, he had 16 touchbacks, and with three years of eligibility left, he could be a long-term solution on multiple kicking teams for Wazzu.
Depth Piece
Adlai Lounsbury
A freshman out of Van Meter, Iowa, Lounsbury came to Washington State on a partial scholarship. He was originally committed to South Dakota State and then flipped his commitment after Rogers accepted the coaching job for the Cougars. Named First-Team All State the last two seasons, he was a combined 11 for 13 on field goal attempts the past two seasons with a long of 54 yards. You can expect Lounsbury to redshirt this upcoming year with Stevens as the starter with the hopes he can compete for the job in 2026.
Last year, Washington State carried four kickers/punters total. There could be potentially a walk on joining the fold to bring some added depth once training camp rolls around. Set to replace multiple starters in Janakowski and Haberer, regardless of how things shake out, there will be new faces punting and kicking from the Palouse in year one of the Rogers era.
