Analyzing Washington State's depth chart ahead of season opener

Washington State officially released its depth chart on Monday, leading into the season opener Saturday night against Idaho.

Leading the charge on offense, of course, is the transfer sophomore quarterback Cameron Ward, from Incarnate Word, who made the FCS All-American second-team and was named the Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year last year.

Ward's status was not much in question as he was brought to the Cougars after passing for 4,648 yards, 47 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last year for Incarnate Word.

The backup battle stole the show, with true freshman John Mateer and redshirt freshman Xavier Ward putting up impressive performances throughout camp.

The depth chart officially lists Mateer and Ward in an "OR" situation at No. 2 QB.

In the backfield, redshirt junior Nakia Watson, the transfer from Wisconsin, takes over the significant void left by former WSU running back Max Borghi.

Watson will be the starting back, with true freshmen Djouvensky Schlenbaker, Jaylen Jenkins and redshirt freshman Kannon Katzer impressing the coaching staff enough to back up the redshirt junior.

The Cougs will still implement a heavy wide receiver set, with sophomore De’Zhaun Stribling, Lincoln Victor, Donovan Ollie and a returning Renard Bell leading the charge for the first week.

One name that is surprisingly missing from the receiving core depth chart is Zeriah Beason, the transfer from Oregon State, who was a part of the lead receiving core during training camp.

Head coach Jake Dickert noted after Tuesday’s practice that Beason is facing some eligibility issues and is not going to play Saturday.

“Right now, he’s ineligible for the game and we can’t have him out there,” Dickert said.

Dickert also stated that he hopes to see Beason on the field as soon as his eligibility status is resolved.

For the first time in a long time, the Cougars will have a starting tight end, with the redshirt sophomore Billy Riviere III, the transfer from North Dakota, filling the new offensive weapon role.

The offensive line will look different, with former tackle Abraham Lucas and former guard Liam Ryan leaving for the NFL. The right side of the line now has redshirt senior Grant Stephens, the transfer from Northern Colorado, thrusted in the guard role along with redshirt sophomore Ma’ake Fifita now the right tackle.

The defensive side of the ball looks somewhat the same, with star edge rushers Ron Stone Jr. and Brennan Jackson both returning as key members of a turnover-heavy defense.

WSU brings in redshirt senior linebacker Daiyan Henley in from Nevada to replace the role former WSU linebacker Jahad Woods left for him. Henley is paired with sophomore Francisco Mauigoa in the linebacker core to replace Justus Rogers.

The secondary brings in senior safety Jordan Lee, from Nevada, and the JUCO transfer safety Sam Lockett III, who is originally from Spokane, to be the eyes behind the returners in the secondary.

Expect changes throughout the offense through non-conference play, with Beason expected to hopefully return after his eligibility issues are cleared up, and a lot more of both Watson and Jenkins leading the charge in the backfield.

The ‘Coug Raid’ will lean on Ward to put up similar numbers in his time at Incarnate Word with plenty of receivers at his disposal, and there are reasons as to why his name is being mentioned as a dark horse this year.

The defense looks to match the high-intensity, high-energy turnover factory they developed into last season.