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Washington State Football: 3 fixes to make for 2020 season success

By Michael Hanich

PULLMAN, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 16: Fans for the Washington State Cougars during the game against the Stanford Cardinals at Martin Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeats Stanford 49-22. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images)
PULLMAN, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 16: Fans for the Washington State Cougars during the game against the Stanford Cardinals at Martin Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Pullman, Washington. Washington State defeats Stanford 49-22. (Photo by William Mancebo/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Anthony Gordon #18 of the Washington State Cougars throws a pass during the first half of the Cheez-It Bowl against the Air Force Falcons at Chase Field on December 27, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Anthony Gordon #18 of the Washington State Cougars throws a pass during the first half of the Cheez-It Bowl against the Air Force Falcons at Chase Field on December 27, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2. Reload on offense

Rebuilding an offense for Washington State will time some time to go from an air raid to a more dynamic style of different receiver motions. Nick Rolovich arrives in Pullman, Wash., along with most of the coaching staff. Joining Rolovich, who is an offensive-minded coach, are Craig Stutzmann, who was the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and Brian Smith, who was the offensive coordinator and running backs coach.

Both Stutzmann and Smith will be co-offensive coordinators in 2020 with the Cougars.

The Cougars will have to replace five offensive starters including Anthony Gordon and three of their top receivers from last season. Altogether Brandon Arconado, Easop Winston and Dezmon Patmon accumulated for 221 receptions for 2,841 yards and 26 touchdowns. The Cougars’ top returner in receiving yards is running back Max Borghi, who accounted for 86 receptions for 597 yards and five touchdowns.

The Cougars will not return an experienced quarterback for the 2020 season, but they do have plenty of options. Some of the most noticeable include redshirt junior John Bledsoe, the son Cougars legend Drew Bledsoe, and redshirt sophomore Cammon Cooper. The Cougars also can rely on incoming three-star pro-style quarterback Jayden de Laura, like Rolovich and most of the coaches, who comes from the state of Hawaii.

There will be an extensive quarterback competition for the starting job. Regardless of who wins the starting job, the Cougars will utilize their running backs more with Rolovich as head coach. The Cougars will return three offensive linemen and three receivers who have accounted for at least 43 receptions and 540 yards.

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