Washington State Football: Top 5 remaining 2019 National Signing Day targets

3. James Price (OT/Tyler Junior College) – 3 stars

Barring a last minute change of heart, JUCO offensive tackle James Price will be a part of the Cougars’ 2019 signing class. Price committed to Washington State a week and a half ago after visiting Pullman, choosing Wazzu over offers from Arizona State, FIU, Southern Miss and Akron.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound offensive tackle out of Houston, Texas, figures to compete for immediate playing time at left tackle. Leach is left with a big hole to fill with the departure of graduated senior Andre Dillard, who was one of the top offensive linemen in college football this past season. Dillard is widely expected to be selected in the first two rounds of April’s NFL Draft, with many expecting him to be selected in the first round.

Dillard manned the blindside for Gardner Minshew flawlessly in 2018 as he helped Washington State to an 11-win season and an Alamo Bowl victory over Iowa State.

Price will have competition from players currently on the roster, most notably rising junior Liam Ryan, along with incoming freshman Patrick Utschinski, a three-star prospect out of Walla Walla, Washington.

Price’s experience should give him the edge over Utschinski, giving way to a two-way battle between him and Ryan for a starting gig along the Cougars’ offensive line in 2019.