WSU signees

Jamal Atofau

DB, 5-10, 185, Bellevue HS

KingCo 3A defensive player of the year and a member of The Seattle Times all-state team. Primary recruiting interest was from WSU and Oregon. HS coach Butch Goncharoff: "He's got great instincts, and he's a physical kid. He'll play with pain. He gets beat up and he's not coming out of the game."

Andre Barrington

LB, 6-2, 207, Federal Way HS

Multisport athlete who has run several events in track and also plays basketball. HS coach John Meagher: "He's athletic as all get-out. You'll see him knock down a 280-pound offensive lineman."

Quayshawne Buckley

DL, 6-4, 285, Ontario, Calif. (Colony HS)

Recruiting services rated him as a guard, but Cougars project him at defensive tackle. WSU coach Paul Wulff: "He's extremely strong and physical. If he grasps our concepts and the speed of the game, he could potentially play his first year."

Arthur Burns

RB, 5-11, 212, Corona, Calif. (Centennial HS)

Well-built back who benches 325 and squats 525. Ran for 1,887 yards and helped Centennial to state-title win over De La Salle.

Anthony Carpenter

DB, 6-1, 185, Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS)

Started two years at safety and was also a backup QB for a 13-1 team. Reputed 4.4 speed. HS coach Scott Altenberg: "Just a phenomenal athlete, a track guy. His best football is ahead of him."

Justin Clayton

DL, 6-3, 245, Napa, Calif. (Justin Siena HS)

Has a 3.9 GPA at a small (600 students) Catholic school. Played guard and defensive end. Scout.com rated him No. 10 DT prospect in the West. HS coach Rich Cotruvo: "He's a hard worker, a great leader and a motor that really impressed the coaches up there."

Johnny Forzani

WR, 6-1, 204, Calgary (Scarlett HS, Douglas College)

Already enrolled at WSU and has three years of eligibility. Son of CFL Hall of Famer Tom Forzani.

Reputed sub-4.4 time in 40. Wulff: "Johnny gives us some size and speed at receiver that we've lacked consistently."

Asi Hosea

DB, 5-10, 180, Murray, Utah (Cottonwood HS)

Also had reported offers from Hawaii, SMU, Connecticut, Washington, Kansas State, BYU and Utah. Wulff: "A tough, hard-nosed player who can help us on special teams right away."

Sekope Kaufusi

LB, 6-4, 230, Woodside (Calif.) HS

Late commit to the Cougars over San Jose State. Defensive POY in Peninsula Athletic League. Wulff: "A big, raw athlete who has possibilities to play multiple positions."

Casey Locker

DB, 5-10, 175, Ferndale HS

Times all-state pick and two-time Northwest League POY played QB and safety his last two years. First cousin of Washington QB Jake Locker. HS coach Jamie Plenkovich: "He plays much bigger than he is. He's a very physical football player."

Travis Long

DE, 6-5, 244, Spokane (Gonzaga Prep HS)

One of the highest-regarded WSU signees, he has a 3.97 GPA. Times all-stater picked Cougars over Boise State and Oregon State. HS coach Dave McKenna: "I think he fell in love with the coaches. They're getting a great athlete and a great kid."

Darren Markle

LB, 6-1, 230, Meridian, Idaho (Mountain View HS)

Workout freak who benches 400, cleans 300-plus and squats 615. Among others, visited BYU, Northwestern and Notre Dame. Probable MLB. Father Parry won an NCAA powerlifting title while at BYU. Wulff: "He brings such a great passion for the game. Now it's working on quickness, recognition and reaction time."

Chris Mastin

LB, 6-1, 205, Spokane (Lewis and Clark HS)

One of WSU's earliest commitments, made last July. Had interest from Boise State but decided on WSU after attending its camp. HS coach Tom Yearout: "Chris is an excellent pass rusher with a tremendous motor."

Jordan Pu'u Robinson

DE, 6-4, 248, Wailuku, Hawaii (Baldwin HS)

Moved to Wailuku for his senior year and chose WSU over Utah State, Wyoming and Idaho. Wulff: "He's going to have some growth and learning to do. If he wants to be a great player, he will be."

William Prescott

OL, 6-5, 277, Riverside, Calif. (King HS)

Tackle prospect was born in Point Roberts, Wash. Also drew some interest from California, UCLA and San Diego State. Wulff: "A big, athletic kid who will get better as he gets in the weight room."

Brandon Rankin

DE, 6-5, 260, Shallotte, N.C. (West Brunswick HS, Butte JC)

JC All-American had 27 sacks for a 12-0, national-title team at Butte. Was MVP of the state-title game with four sacks. JC coach Jeff Jordan: "He has great tenacity and really long, rangy arms."

Gino Simone

WR, 6-0, 175, Skyline HS

Highest-rated of WSU recruits was one of three Times "Blue Chip" prospects in the state. Chose Cougars over Boise State, Oregon State and Washington. Set school records for receptions, TD catches and receiving yardage and also scored four times on returns. His 40 TDs are a school career record for 2007-08 state champions. HS coach Mat Taylor: "His biggest attribute is his explosiveness after the catch. He's going to make guys miss."

Terell Thompson

LB, 6-1, 215, Aurora, Colo. (Eaglecrest HS)

Played primarily FB, scoring 18 TDs as a sophomore and rushing for 2,331 yards his final two seasons. Nebraska, Boise State and Cal showed interest, but some backed off due to questions of whether Thompson will qualify academically. HS coach Tom Doherty: "He's a big, strong man. He looks like he's about 24. He's just a physical specimen. In practice, we'd not let him do certain drills, or he'd kill people."

Jeff Tuel

QB, 6-3, 205, Clovis, Calif. (Clovis West HS)

Early-August commitment to Cougars after a visit to Pullman with his family. Two-way threat who completed 50 percent of his throws and rushed for 674 yards. Wulff: "He's got a tremendous amount of upside. He's the type of player that can lead this program in the future."

Sebastian Valenzuela

OL, 6-2, 315, Burbank, Calif. (Burroughs HS)

Chose WSU over Utah State and Portland State. HS coach Keith Knoop: "He has great feet, and when he puts pads on, he becomes an animal. Referees have been kind of telling him he needs to be nicer on the field."

Nolan Washington

CB, 5-9, 170, Kennedy HS

Picked WSU and turned down visits to UNLV, Minnesota, Arizona State and Boise State. Versatile player who saw time at QB, WR and DB, rushing for 748 yards as a senior. HS coach Bob Bourgette: "He's a great athlete, so skilled at covering one-on-one."

Carl Winston

RB, 5-9, 205, Gardena, Calif. (Junipero Serra HS)

Ran for 4,820 yards and 61 TDs in high school and was third-leading receiver on a 13-1 team in 2008. Also visited Colorado and was recruited by ASU and San Jose State. HS coach Scott Altenberg: "He's not the biggest or fastest guy, but he has tremendous balance and always makes the first guy miss. He's just one of those special players."

Bud Withers