MEAD, Wash. – The Washington State Cougars only have five spring football practices down, but the team’s feelings look positive and well-connected as they wrapped up practice at Union Stadium.
“I thought, overall, we played together as a unit, and I saw it on the field,” WSU quarterback Caden Pinnick said.
“It’s been going pretty good,” former EWU defensive tackle Jirah Leaupepetele said. “We’re building a connection, then a bond and chemistry with the team. I feel like we’re moving pretty good, too. Bodies feel good.”
WSU enters the 2026 with 26 transfers, mostly on the defensive side, and they continue to gel well five practices into the spring practice schedule.
“It was a fast transition,” Leaupepetele said. “The area, the weather doesn’t faze me too much, I’m used to the cold.”
A solid Coug fan contingent attended the practice and following kids’ camp, and the team showed their appreciation.
“It’s awesome,” Moore said. “We can’t give our guys enough reps in terms of fans, competition. Obviously, we start on the road right the first couple games, and so embracing that. We had about an hour and a half bus ride here. We went to Pasco, which was two hours. And in terms of you know, just how that’s going to feel, in terms of travel and reset and new environment, we’ve got to have good energy. You’ve got to start well, and so those are things we’re really emphasizing.”
“I think Spokane has a lot of Cougs,” offensive lineman Johnny Lester said. “Being from here, just all the people who have supported me and my journey, having them all come to these practices and watch us get better, it’s really amazing.”
Wazzu has the annual Crimson & Grey Game at Gesa Field kicking off Saturday, April 25, at 2:00 p.m.
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