2016 Washington State Cougars Signing Day capsules

Lyric Bartley, DE, 6-3, 245, Taylorsville, Utah (Taylorsville): No stranger to laying out the quarterback. Made 61 tackles — 18 for losses — including a state-best 13.5 sacks as a senior. Named a High School Stat Star by MaxPreps after recording a three-sack game, one of two three-sack performances. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 12 overall prospect in Utah by ESPN.com.

Renard Bell, WR, 5-10, 165, Los Angeles (Cathedral): The speed makes up for the size. The co-offensive MVP of the Angelus League caught 54 passes for 945 yards and 12 touchdowns as a senior. Rated three-star wideout by ESPN.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 21 wide receiver in the West by Scout.com and No. 95 overall prospect in California by Rivals.com.

Danny Bender, DE, 6-4, 240, El Cajon, Calif. (Valhalla): He’ll trade the sand for the snow. Committed to WSU shortly after decommitting from San Diego State little more than a week ago. Named All-CIF San Diego first-teamer and All-East County first-teamer. Tallied 74 tackles, nine sacks, four forced fumbles and eight broken-up passes as a senior. Rated three-star pospect by ESPN.com and Scout.com.

Nilsson Gaisoa, OL, 6-5, 295, Kailua, Hawaii (Kailua): Probably a tackle by coach Mike Leach’s estimation. Was selected to play in Hawaii’s Pacific Football Classic, which showcases high school athletes. Blocked for a backfield that rushed for 2,139 yards as a senior. All-State honorable mention. Good hands — he also played basketball and volleyball.

Christian Haangana, OL, 6-5, 365, Milpitas, Calif. (Milpitas): The size is no joke — can steamroll just about anyone. Leach sees him as a guard to start out. The San Jose Mercury News named the lineman to its first team as a senior. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 11 offensive guard in the West by Scout.com.

Romello Harris, RB, 5-10, 175, Tulare, Calif. (Union): Knee injury slowed him down after nine games in his senior season, but still finished career with 973 carries for 7,311 yards and 85 rushing touchdowns. Averaged 9.6 yards per carry (215.9 per game) as a senior, and tallied seven 100-yard games. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 57 running back prospect in the country by Scout.com.

Isaiah Johnson, WR, 6-3, 211, Belle Glade, Fla. (Dwyer): Leach wanted size at wide receiver. Well, he found it on the opposite coast. Finished senior season with 44 receptions for 912 yards and 12 touchdowns. Earned all-state, all-county and all-area honors. Also played with current WSU receiver Tavares Martin Jr. at Dwyer. Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.com. Ranked No. 90 in the country at wide receiver by Rivals.com.

D’Jimon Jones, DB, 6-1, 175, Federal Way (Federal Way): Barely played a down of defense his senior season and missed most of it with a broken ankle. But the athleticism is there. Did plenty of hopping around with current WSU basketball guard Viont’e Daniels on Federal Way’s Class 4A state-championship team last year. Also took second in high jump at the 4A state meet at 6-8 as a junior. Rated three-star cornerback by Rivals.com. Ranked No. 16 prospect in Washington by ESPN.com.

Keenen King, OL, 6-4, 301, Las Vegas (Arbor View): The only member of the 2016 class named to The News Tribune’s Western 100. Leach wants to find the five best offensive linemen and move them around from there — King could be either a guard or tackle. Blocked for offense that averaged 283.7 rushing yards per game his senior season. Rated three-star prospect ESPN.com, Rivals.com and by Scout.com. Ranked No. 1 tackle prospect in Nevada (No. 67 in the country) by Scout.com.

Frederick Mauigoa, OL, 6-4, 295, Pago Pago, American Samoa (Tafuna): No one better in American Samoa, says ESPN.com. The No. 1 overall prospect will likely start off as a tackle. Was the first student-athlete from American Samoa to be selected to play in the Blue-Grey All-American Bowl in Dallas in December. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 62 offensive guard prospect in the country by ESPN.com.

Garrett McBroom, DE, 6-3, 268, Stillwater, Okla. (Northeastern Oklahoma A&M): Not a DT in the class, but Leach says plenty of guys could evolve toward that. With his size, the Stillwater High School product could be one of them. Tallied 66 tackles — 19 for loss — and 10 sacks as a redshirt sophomore at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M last season. Earned all-Southwest Junior College Football Conference second-team honors.

Derek Moore, RUSH, 6-2, 211, Los Angeles (Crenshaw): His quickness off the line probably has something to do with the RUSH recruitment. Named all-Los Angeles City Section I Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. Rated three-star prospect by Scout.com. Ranked No. 80 outside linebacker prospect in the country and 10th in California by Scout.com.

Chima Onyeukwu, LB, 6-3, 215, San Pablo, Calif. (Contra Costa College): Plenty of aggression and movement off the edge. Recorded 57 tackles — 11 for loss — and seven sacks as a sophomore. Earned all-Pacific 7 League First-Team honors. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 88 overall junior college prospect by Rivals.com.

Dezmon Patmon, WR, 6-4, 202, San Diego (Patrick Henry): Has some NFL experience in the lineage — uncle DeWayne Patmon played linebacker at Michigan and for the New York Giants. Had five interceptions (including four in a playoff game) as a senior, and caught 53 passes for 669 yards and five touchdowns on the other side of the ball. Also a 6-6 high jumper. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 78 wide receiver in the country by Scout.com.

Grant Porter, WR, 6-2, 185, Upland, Calif. (Upland): Leach contests he might actually be taller than 6-2 — again, he wanted size. Limited to three games his senior season, but averaged 15.5 yards per catch. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 83 wide receiver prospect in the country and No. 16 wideout in the West by Scout.com. Ranked No. 68 overall prospect in California by ESPN.com.

Justus Rogers, QB/ATH, 6-2, 220, Bellevue (Bellevue): Could easily play four different positions (QB, WR, LB, DB), says Leach. So that’s where it gets complicated. He’ll get looks at QB to start off. Led Bellevue to second straight appearance in 3A state title game. Was 56 of 90 passing for 1,144 yards and 19 touchdowns his senior season. Only one interception. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Rated No. 46 athlete in the country and No. 19 athlete in the west by Scout.com. Rated No. 15 prospect in Washington by ESPN.com.

Liam Ryan, OL, 6-6, 275, La Verne, Calif. (Damien): Grows every time Leach sees him. Could be a guard or a tackle, but projected to be a guard. The first-team all-Baseline League lineman blocked for a running back that led league with 1,855 yards and 18 touchdowns. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com. Ranked No. 119 offensive tackle in the country by ESPN.com.

Marcus Strong, DB, 5-11, 170, Rialto, Calif. (Carter): Two waves of brothers have played defense at Oregon State — Justin Strong currently at safety and NFL free agent Victor Butler at defensive end — so he’s breaking the mold. Played in 10 games his senior season, posting 36 tackles and nine pass break-ups. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 32 safety in the West by Scout.com.

Suliasi Tamaivena, LB, 6-2, 225, Kirkland (Mt. San Antonio College): The Juanita High School product’s father was a national rugby star in Fiji, so tackling shouldn’t be a problem. Made 81 tackles — 20 for losses —with nine sacks as a sophomore. Named player of the game in the Patriotic Bowl after making a team-high 10 tackles with a pair of sacks. Rated three-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 58 overall junior college prospect by Scout.com.

Robert Taylor, DB, 5-11, 180, San Leandro, Calif. (CC of San Francisco): Bounced between two high schools, UC Davis and CC of San Francisco before landing at WSU. Can land tackles, too — recorded 47 (1.5 for losses), five interceptions and six pass breakups last season. Named to all-Northern California Bay 6 League. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com and Rivals.com.

Skyler Thomas, DB, 5-11, 175, Perris, Calif. (Citrus Hill): One of those guys who is everywhere. Had 65 tackles — eight for losses — with four sacks as a senior. Also had two interceptions, three forced fumbles and 11 pass breakups. Rated three-star prospect by Scout.com. Rated No. 18 safety prospect in California by Scout.com.

Jalen Thompson, DB, 6-0, 170, Downey, Calif. (Downey): Versatile and a threat on both sides of the ball. Picked off five passes his senior season and averaged 20.2 yards per catch. Also ran track. Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 56 cornerback in the country and No. 88 overall prospect in California by ESPN.com.

Mason Vinyard, RUSH, 6-5, 215, La Mesa, Calif. (Helix): Each recruit was limited to three highlights and Leach said each of Vinyard’s were lively and exciting. Leach wanted to recruit fast on defense, and Vinyard has a reputation as a pass rusher. Recorded 27 tackles and 5.5 sacks his senior season. Also recovered four fumbles and forced one. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 69 overall prospect in California by Rivals.com.

Josh Watson, OL, 6-5, 265, Everett (Cascade): He’ll be a tackle to start. And even better, one from Washington, which Leach says is a priority — recruiting in state. Named to The News Tribune’s All-State team. Had 15 tackles — six for losses — and three sacks his senior season. Rated three-star prospect by Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked the top offensive guard in Washington by Scout.com, and the No. 14 overall prospect in Washington by Rivals.com.

Jihad Woods, LB, 5-11, 215, La Mesa, Calif. (Helix): Speedy, continuing Leach’s trend for quickness on defense. Recorded 58 tackles with 5.5 sacks, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble his senior season. Rated three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Rivals.com and Scout.com. Ranked No. 61 inside linebacker in the country by Scout.com. Ranked the No. 88 outside linebacker in the country by ESPN.com.

SOURCE: WSU sports information

This story was originally published February 3, 2016 at 9:39 PM with the headline "2016 Washington State Cougars Signing Day capsules."