Washington State Navigates Roster Shifts Ahead of Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
PULLMAN - With the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl just around the corner, Washington State’s interim head coach Jesse Bobbit offered some clarity on who will suit up for the Cougars amid a wave of transfer portal activity and injuries.
Bobbit didn’t go name-by-name through the 13 WSU players expected to hit the portal come January 2, but he did lay out a simple rule: if a player is practicing, he’s playing. That said, with practices closed to the public, the post-practice media session on Wednesday provided the key updates fans were waiting for.
Who’s Out
Let’s start with the confirmed absences. Defensive back Kenny Worthy and linebacker Mike Sandjo are no longer with the program, per Bobbit.
Linebacker Carter Pabst has also opted out of the bowl game due to injury. While Pabst is still listed on the two-deep, Bobbit made it clear that he won’t be available.
Defensive tackle Max Baloun is another name to cross off the list. He remains sidelined and won’t be healthy until next year - likely at another school, as he’s also expected to enter the portal.
The two-deep released midweek reflects much of what Bobbit shared. Sandjo and Baloun were already known absences, and Pabst, though technically still listed, is not expected to play. Worthy and quarterback Jaxon Potter were both removed from the depth chart entirely.
Duhron Goodman, who was lost for the season last month, and center Brock Dieu, who’s still recovering from an injury suffered at James Madison, are also not listed. Dieu remains on a scooter, which means he’s a no-go for the bowl.
Who Steps In
Even with the roster turnover, the impact on WSU’s game plan may be more about depth than dramatic changes to the starting lineup.
With Worthy out, the Cougars will likely turn to a rotation of AJ Davis, Kai Rapolla, or Trillion Sorrell to fill in as the No. 3 cornerback. At center, Dieu’s absence opens the door for Kyle Martin, who already started the regular season finale and is expected to hold down the spot again.
Without Pabst in the linebacker group, look for Mackenzie Alleyne and Branden Ganashamoorthy to see increased reps. Both have been in the mix this season and should be ready to step into larger roles.
Bobbit also confirmed that middle linebacker Anthony Palano is good to go. Wide receiver Tony Freeman - who appeared at offensive coordinator Kirby Moore’s press conference earlier this week - is still in town and expected to play as well.
Energy Check
Bobbit, who will be heading to Iowa State with incoming head coach Jimmy Rogers after the bowl, only has a few days left in Pullman. But he said the team is locked in and bringing the right energy to close out the season.
“There’s been a really good energy,” Bobbit said. “I talked about the team being spirited the last time we talked.
And there’s been a little bit of a lull at certain times. But today was a much better day.
Guys were getting after it, competing in a two-minute drill early on, some pass rush stuff.”
The Cougars are set to travel soon, and Bobbit said the team is ready to head out and finish strong.
With so many moving parts - from injuries to portal departures - the Potato Bowl will be a test of depth, resilience, and focus for Washington State. But if the practice energy is any indication, this squad isn’t heading to Boise just to show up. They’re going to compete.