Washington State Spring Football: Tight Ends Shine on Day 1
The tight ends were front and center during the first day of spring football at Washington State, even with standout Trey Leckner sidelined for the spring due to injury. Offensive coordinator Kirby Moore has big plans for this group, and Thursday's performance gave him plenty to smile about.
"Those guys can be difference-makers," Moore emphasized. "They're crucial for reading defenses and making plays, especially with their catch radius and ability to create mismatches. The quarterbacks have some room for error thanks to these guys' wingspans."
With Leckner out, younger talents like Peyton Read and Cash Landau stepped up, each snagging a couple of catches. Though the pads aren't on yet, Moore is already envisioning their role in the run game.
"You saw the younger guys like Peyton and Cash making plays," Moore noted. "Jack Pedersen also had a nice downfield catch. We need to build on this and explore their potential in the run game at the point of attack."
Read and Landau, both second-year players from Portland, are making their presence known. Read stands at 6-6 and 230 pounds, while Landau is 6-4 and 242 pounds. Pedersen, a seasoned transfer from UCLA, adds to the mix at 6-5, 253 pounds.
Quarterbacks Caden Pinnick, Julian Dugger, and Owen Eshelman shared reps evenly, experiencing the typical highs and lows of early practice. Notably, there were no interceptions during 7-on-7 and team periods.
"I saw them taking care of the football," Moore said. "Their decision-making was solid, knowing when to scramble and when to find passing windows. It's a promising start."
Moore on Day 1 Standouts:
"Everyone had moments of success and areas for improvement. The key is to solve problems and build on each practice. The skill guys bounced back well from early drops, making significant plays in team drills."
Moore on Defensive Highlights:
Jeremiah Bernard and Kayo Patu made consecutive interceptions in one-on-ones, impressing Moore with their competitiveness and coverage skills. "They were really sticky on the tight ends and slots, which is exactly what we want to see," Moore praised. "Coach Bray excels at creating these challenging opportunities for our defensive backs."
Defensive Installation Insights:
Moore highlighted the importance of fundamentals and fast play under Coach Bray's guidance. "We're laying the groundwork and focusing on getting our best 11 on the field defensively."
Stay tuned for more updates as Washington State continues to build on this promising start to spring practice.