Washington State Locks In Key Offensive Line Piece as Jonny Lester Re-Signs for 2026
Washington State’s offensive line is starting to take shape for 2026 - and one of its most reliable anchors is officially back in the mix. Jonny Lester, the versatile and battle-tested lineman out of Spokane, has re-signed with the Cougars, joining fellow returners Ashton Tripp, Jaylin Caldwell, and linebacker Keith Brown in committing to another season in Pullman.
Lester’s return is a big deal for a unit that’s looking to build consistency and chemistry up front. At 6-foot-5 and 306 pounds, Lester started all 13 games this past season, mostly holding down the left guard spot.
He made 10 starts at guard and slid over to right tackle for two games when injuries hit the line - a tough assignment, especially against a stout Oregon State front. He gave up two sacks in that game, but otherwise allowed just one sack all year while playing guard, a testament to his comfort and effectiveness on the interior.
Now entering his final year of eligibility, Lester’s decision to stay close to home makes a lot of sense. He’s a Spokane native and is married to a fellow WSU student. With him and Tripp returning, the Cougars have the left side of their offensive line locked down - a critical foundation for any offense trying to establish rhythm and identity.
Lester’s journey to this point is the kind of story that resonates. He arrived in Pullman as a walk-on, grinding his way into the starting lineup and earning a scholarship last December.
Former head coach Jake Dickert had promised him that reward after the 2024 season, and new head coach Jimmy Rogers made good on it. That kind of follow-through matters in a locker room, and Lester’s quiet leadership and loyalty haven’t gone unnoticed.
What makes Lester’s rise even more impressive is that he didn’t grow up immersed in football culture. In fact, when Washington State hired former NFL All-Pro Mike Iupati as an assistant offensive line coach, Lester admitted he didn’t even know who he was. But what Lester may have lacked in early football fandom, he’s more than made up for with work ethic and loyalty - traits that have defined him since his days at small-school Northwest Christian.
Despite being surrounded by bigger, more prominent programs like Mount Spokane, Mead, and Gonzaga Prep, Lester chose to stay put in Class 2B. He never chased exposure.
He trusted that if he was good enough, the right people would notice. And they did.
“I didn’t want to abandon my coaches,” Lester said this past summer. “I figured if I was good enough, I’d get picked up. And it all worked out - I love where I am.”
With Lester back, the Cougars are now waiting on the final two pieces of their offensive line puzzle: Kyle Martin and Noah Dunham. Martin has already indicated he plans to return, and there’s optimism that Dunham will follow suit. If both come back, it would give Washington State a rare level of continuity up front - something every offensive coordinator dreams of.
That kind of stability makes life a lot easier for the reported new offensive line coach, Jack Abercrombie. It also allows the coaching staff to shift focus toward other areas of need, particularly through the transfer portal.
In recent years, Washington State has developed a bit of a tradition when it comes to offensive linemen sticking around and finishing their careers in Pullman. Abraham Lucas and Liam Ryan helped start that trend, followed by Konner Gomness and Ma’ake Fifita, and more recently Christian Hilborn and Brock Dieu. Now, Lester looks poised to carry that torch in his final season.
While the rest of the returning linemen still have multiple years to grow and develop, this will be Lester’s last ride. And if his past is any indication, he’s going to make it count.