It’s still just June, but the Cougs secondary will probably be without a player who many thought would be the full-time starter at one corner. Senior-to-be Tyrone Brackenridge will more than likely miss the 2005 season, per Cougfan.com. Seems he has academic issues that are yet to be resolved, and most likely won’t be for 2005. Too bad. A thin position gets thinner. But, there’s always a bright side, maybe a youngster will rise up and grab the position? Brackenridge didn’t exactly win the job outright, he was neck and neck with Wally Dada for the job, so at least they have someone else ready to go. Check out the story below, followed by the FIRST DEPTH CHART OF 2005, and one more screen of the Cougs new uniforms, again courtesy of EA Sports:
THE PADS DON’T go on for another five weeks, but Washington State’s defense looks to have taken a big hit at a position where depth already is a concern. Tyron Brackenridge, who came out of spring ball in a dead heat with Omowale Dada for the starting spot at left corner, doesn’t appear likely to meet NCAA eligibility requirements for 2005, according to WSU Associate Athletic Director Rod Commons.
Brackenridge is in school and can practice with the team, but the chances of him suiting up for games in 2005 are slim, Commons said.Brackenridge (5-11, 185) came to WSU a year ago after two stellar years at Chaffey Junior College. He saw limited action on the Cougar defense in 2004, but excelled on kickoff returns, leading the Cougars with 14 for 311 yards.His absence in 2005 puts Dada (5-11, 198) in the driver’s seat for the starting line up, with Don Turner (6-0, 183), the junior from Spokane, slated at the backup role on the left side.Right corner is expected to held down by senior Alex Teems, a starter in 2004. His backup is slated to be second-year freshman Ian Bell, though his status could be a bit uncertain following an ankle injury during spring workouts.Ryan Kensok, a walk-on from Spokane, is the only other bonafide returning corner on the roster, thus putting a newfound spotlight on incoming cornerback recruits Shelton Danzy of Seattle and James Bradley of Garland, Texas.Danzy (5-10, 182), from Rainier Beach High, was rated one of the nation’s top 40 cornerback prospects in the class of 2005. He starred on both sides of the ball, but made a lasting mark on defense, where he tallied 88 tackles (63 solo) including 8 sacks and 12 tackles-for-loss. Had also had four INTs and four fumble recoveries, one of which he returned 80 yards for a TD.Bradley (5 9 1/2, 170) has great hips and a very quick first step. At South Garland High last season he had 58 tackles, five INTs, eight pass break-ups, two fumble recoveries and remarkable seven blocked field goals/PATs.
IN ADDITION, multi-talented newcomers Lorenzo Bursey (5-9, 170) and Brandon Gibson (6-1, 190), both targeted for receiver, have been mentioned by head coach Bill Doba as having the skills to play corner. Bursey is a junior college transfer and Gibson comes to Pullman from Puyallup’s Rogers High.Another incoming corner is Nehemiah Mundy of Culver City, Calif., though the plan is to grayshirt him in 2005.Bursey is a particularly intriguing part of the equation. With a 4.4 time in the 40 and the ability to make wicked cuts at virtually top speed, he was a star running back at kick returner at West Los Angeles College, but in high school he also excelled at corner. By enrolling in summer classes at Washington State, he has been able to join the team for the summer’s voluntary workouts. Bursey has three years to play three at WSU.
THE 2005 PRESEASON DEPTH CHART is fresh off the press of the WSU Sports Information Department. Among the many items of note, one stands out — and it speaks both to certain pressing needs, especially on defense, and to the caliber of the Cougars’ newest class of recruits. Indeed, seven members of the incoming class are listed on the three-deep roster.
You might have to go back to 1991 and the rookie season of so many who would form the legendary Palouse Posse to find that much youth in an early season depth chart. Alas, few of this year’s vintage appear slated for the starting line up like Singor Mobley, Torey Hunter & Co. were way back when. But there’s little doubt this class will make its presence known sooner rather than later.Ironically, one of the newcomers highest on the list carries the same name as one of the greatest members of the Posse: DeWayne Patterson. Like the original Patterson, the modern-day edition hails from the Bay Area. But he’s 6-2, 195 and plays safety, not defensive end.Patterson comes to Pullman from the JC ranks, where he built a reputation as a big hitter.
In the Cougars’ newest depth chart he’s slotted in at No. 2 strong safety behind returning junior Eric Frampton. Patterson, out of Chaffey College in Oakland, will have three years to play two for the Cougs, having grayshirted at Chaffey. He told CF.C he’s wrapping up his AA degree, with graduation a month from now. He plans to arrive in Pullman on August 1. Until then, Patterson’s been staying in touch with defensive coordinator Robb Akey and future teammates.”I call coach Akey pretty much every week,” said Patterson. “And I talk to a few players up there to see what’s going on, like Tyron Brackenridge, my former junior college teammate.”Six other incoming players are penned in at No. 3 spots on the depth chart.At center is Gig Harbor’s Kenny Alfred (6-3, 285), arguably the state’s top offensive line prospect last season. He’s participating in the East-West All-Star game this weekend in Spokane. Described as “monstrous,” Alfred sports a size 18 shoe.JC transfer Derek Hunter (6-4, 185) out of Fullerton College cracked the three-deep at right tackle. He was a full qualifier out of high school, and has four to play three at WSU.Checking in at slotback is the multi-dimensional Lorenzo Bursey (5-8, 175) out of West LA College, who will have three to play three. Bursey is already in Pullman taking classes and participating in voluntary summer workouts.On defense, Cory Evans (6-2, 215) checks in at weakside linebacker behind Alex Hamill and starter Steve Dildine. Evans prepped at Northwood High in Lena, a tiny town in central Louisiana. He has a reputation as a crushing hitter.
At strong safety is Xavier Hicks (6-0, 185), the do-everything player out of Orange County and the nephew of former Cougar running back Kevin Hicks. He’s also a star in the classroom, sporting a 3.83 GPA.Michael Willis is listed as No. 3 at free safety. The phenomenal athlete and fearsome hitter is enrolled in classes at WSU and has been turning heads out on the Palouse during the Cougs’ voluntary workouts.Here’s the complete depth chart:
2005 WASHINGTON STATE DEPTH CHART – FALL
COUGAR OFFENSE
SE 83 ** [11] JASON HILL (6-2, 208, Jr.)
19 * [0] Greg Prator (6-1, 214, Sr.)
15 [0] Benny Ward (6-4, 184, Fr.)
LT 70 * [9] BOBBY BYRD (6-7, 314, #So.)
71 * [0] Spencer Hollison (6-6, 305, #Jr.)
LG 73 ** [0] SEAN O’CONNOR (6-5, 287, #Jr.)
60 [0] Dan Rowlands (6-5, 283, #Fr.)
C 66 ***[11] NICK MIHLHAUSER (6-3, 292, Sr.)
61 * [0] Josh Duin (6-3, 311, #Jr.)
69 [0] Kenny Alfred (6-3, 285, Fr.)
RG 76 ** [7] NORVELL HOLMES (6-2, 297, #Sr.)
78 ** [0] Riley Fitt-Chappell (6-7, 316, #Sr.)
RT 55 ** [1] CHARLES HARRIS (6-6, 308, #Jr.)
72 [0] Andy Roof (6-3, 316, #Fr.)
72 [0] Derek Hunter (6-4, 285, So.)
TE 81 ***[9] TROY BIENEMANN (6-5, 252, Sr.)
80 ** [0] Cody Boyd (6-8, 257, #Jr.)
47 ** [2] Jesse Taylor (6-3, 240, #Jr.)
SB 5 * [7] MICHAEL BUMPUS (5-11, 186, So.)
6 ***[4] Marty Martin (5-11, 187, #Sr.)
3 [0] Lorenzo Bursey (5-8, 175, So.)
QB 9 ** [6] JOSH SWOGGER (6-5, 254, #Jr.)
10 * [5] ALEX BRINK (6-2, 202, #So.)
17 [0] Gary Rogers (6-5, 241, #Fr.)
RB 1 * [5] JEROME HARRISON (5-10, 200, Sr.)
41 * [0] Jed Collins (6-2, 247, So.)
FL 2 ** [10] CHRIS JORDAN (6-1, 210, #Jr.) INJ
88 *** [1] Trandon Harvey (5-11, 195, #Sr.)
84 [0] Scott Selby (6-5, 229, #Fr.)
PAT 27 * [11] LOREN LANGLEY (5-8, 150, So.)
18 ** [0] Graham Siderius (6-1, 210, #Sr.)
COUGAR DEFENSE
WE 94 ** [11] MKRISTO BRUCE (6-6, 250, #Jr.)
97 [0] Jason Roberts (6-3, 241, #Fr.)
LT 40 * [7] AARON JOHNSON (6-6, 310, #So.)
79 [0] Bryan Olson (6-4, 277, #Sr.)
RT 75 * [4] ROPATI PITOITUA (6-8, 300, So.)
19 ** [2] Odell Howard (6-3, 292, #Jr.)
SE 13 ***[11] ADAM BRAIDWOOD (6-5, 267, Sr.)
82 *** [0] Adam West (6-6, 259, #Sr.)
58 * [0] Matt Mullennix (6-5, 256, #So.)
SLB 42 ** [10] SCOTT DAVIS (5-10, 228, #Jr.)
57 [0] Steffan Blume (6-1, 218, #Fr.)
MLB 51 ***[11] WILL DERTING (6-0, 235, #Sr.)
43 ** [0] Brian Hall (6-2, 242, #Jr.)
8 ** [0] Chris Baltzer (6-2, 228, Jr.)
WLB 49 ** [4] STEVE DILDINE (6-1, 229, #Jr.)
44 [0] Alex Hamill (5-10, 209, #Fr.)
38 [0] Cory Evans (6-2, 215, Fr.)
LCB 4 ** [0] WALLY DADA (5-11, 198, Sr.)
25 ** [0] Don Turner (6-0, 183, #Jr.)
SS 37 ** [0] ERIC FRAMPTON (5-11, 208, #Jr.)
30 [0] DeWayne Patterson (6-2, 195, Jr.)
26 [0] Xavier Hicks Jr. (6-0, 185, Fr.)
FS 23 * [0] HUSAIN ABDULLAH (6-0, 189, #So.)
24 [0] Christian Bass (6-2, 212, #So.)
22 [0] Michael Willis (6-3, 205, Fr.)
RCB 21 ** [10] ALEX TEEMS (5-11, 195, #Sr.)
29 [0] Ian Bell (5-9, 184, #Fr.)
P 8 ***[11] KYLE BASLER (6-3, 238, #Sr.)
18 ** [0] Graham Siderius (6-1, 210, #Sr.)
COUGAR SPECIAL TEAMS
KO: 18 Graham Siderius (6-2, 210, #Sr.)
FIELD GOALS: 27 Loren Langley (5-8, 150, So.)
18 Graham Siderius (6-2, 210, #Sr.)
LONG SNAPS: 81 Troy Bienemann (6-5, 252, Sr.)
82 Adam West (6-6, 259, #Sr.)
HOLDER: 8 Kyle Basler (6-3, 238, #Sr.)
10 Alex Brink (6-2, 202, #So.)
P-RETURNS: 5 Michael Bumpus (5-11, 186, So.)
1 Jerome Harrison (5-10, 200, Sr.)
KO-RETURN: 1 Jerome Harrison (5-10, 200, Sr.)
29 Ian Bell (5-9, 184, #Fr.)
CAPTAINS:
Offense – Troy Bienemann, Jerome Harrison
Defense – Will Derting
Special Teams – Kyle Basler
* = Varsity letters earned
# = Has redshirted
New uniform in action:
Game video in action, as Jerome Harrison takes on to the house against the Dawgs (right-click, save as… to see the video:):
eagsports.com/misc/run1.wmv
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