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Pac-12 Football: Every team’s most important newcomers for 2021

By Dante Pryor

Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2020; Los Angeles, California, USA; Oregon Ducks players pose with trophy after the Pac-12 Championship against the Southern California Trojans at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Oregon defeated USC 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2020; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Washington State Cougars linebacker Jahad Woods (13) is consoled after losing the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2020; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Washington State Cougars linebacker Jahad Woods (13) is consoled after losing the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

Washington State

Washington State is an interesting team this season in the Pac-12. Pullman is always a tough place to play, and the run-and-shoot offense is a special prep, much like the air-raid was. But, even with the commonalities between spread offenses, second-year head coach Nick Rolovich has to make some changes to the roster.

The Cougars did have some interesting signees via the transfer portal. Though Tennessee transfer Jarrett Gurantano likely not start, he’s a good mentor for young Jayden de Lauria, who started as a true freshman and a solid backup if de Lauria gets in trouble again or performs poorly in summer ball.

These two players, however, will see significant snaps this fall.

  • CJ Moore (JUCO), WR: Moore comes to Pullman a legitimate number one receiving option from the junior college ranks. The Cougars landing Moore is a big deal since he was ranked junior college wide receiver and the tenth-ranked junior college player this cycle. You can never have too many receivers in a Run and Shoot offense; the Cougars got one of the best.
  • Nakia Watson (transfer), RB: Wisconsin transfer Nakia Watson never really got going in Madison. It is hard to say if he would be Jonathan Taylor’s successor or be a change of pace back for whoever was RB1. In an offense that uses the running back as a change of pace, Watson could find success in Pullman.
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