Washington State Adds Two High-Impact Recruits Ahead of 2026 Season
Washington State just added two dynamic playmakers to its 2026 roster, and both bring serious firepower on opposite sides of the ball. Head coach Kirby Moore announced the signings of wide receiver Lance Bender and linebacker/running back Lance McGee, two prospects who lit up the high school scene in 2025 and are set to enroll ahead of the upcoming season.
Let’s start with Bender, a wideout from Nolensville High School in Tennessee. This kid’s senior year was nothing short of electric-47 catches, 910 yards, and 11 touchdowns.
That’s not just production; that’s a go-to guy who knows how to stretch the field and find the end zone. His performance earned him First Team honors in 5A All-Region 5 and a spot on the All-615 Preps Medium Class Second Team.
And this wasn’t a one-year wonder-he was already making noise as a junior, landing on the Nashville-area Region 6 5 Region First Team. Bender brings a blend of route-running polish and big-play ability that should make him a weapon in Moore’s offense.
Then there’s McGee, who might be one of the most dominant two-way players in the state of Washington last year. Hailing from Yakima and playing for Sumner High School, McGee saved his best for the biggest stage.
In the 2025 Washington 4A State Championship game, he carried the ball 46 times for 368 yards and six touchdowns-yes, you read that right. All three marks set new 4A title game records.
Over the course of his senior season, he piled up 2,489 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns on 251 carries. That’s video game-level production.
His efforts earned him Washington 4A Player of the Year honors from both MaxPreps and the Washington State Football Coaches Association.
McGee’s versatility makes him especially intriguing. While he was a force at running back, he’s also listed as a linebacker, and his physicality and vision suggest he could make an impact on either side of the ball depending on how the Cougars want to deploy him. Whether he’s lowering his shoulder through a gap or chasing down ball carriers, McGee brings a toughness and motor that coaches love to build around.
For Washington State, these aren’t just depth signings-they’re potential difference-makers. Bender has the tools to become a reliable target in the passing game, while McGee is the kind of athlete who can tilt the field from the moment he steps on it. With both players set to join the program before the 2026 season kicks off, Cougar fans have every reason to be excited about what’s coming next in Pullman.