Washington State Lands Key Offensive Line Transfer from Rival Washington
In a move that’s sure to raise some eyebrows across the Pac-12, Washington State has landed a significant addition to its offensive line - and he’s coming straight from across the rivalry line.
Offensive tackle Maximus McCree is heading to Pullman, transferring in from Washington. The Cougars made the announcement official Monday afternoon, and it’s a pickup that could pay immediate dividends up front. At 6-foot-6 and 302 pounds, McCree brings size, experience, and a battle-tested edge to a WSU offensive line that’s already returning all five starters.
McCree saw action in seven games for the Huskies last season, logging 242 snaps and making three starts at left tackle. His opportunity came midseason when he stepped in for an injured teammate and held down the blindside against Maryland, Rutgers, and Michigan. He was holding his own until a thumb injury in that Michigan game cut his run short.
Before his stint at Washington, McCree’s path to the Pac-12 was anything but conventional. A Kansas City native, he started his college career at Iowa Central Community College, where he earned NJCAA first-team All-America honors in 2021. He transferred to Maryland for the 2022 season but played sparingly, seeing the field for just 13 snaps in two games.
Then came a pause. McCree didn’t play in 2023, taking time away from football to return home and care for his mother, Nicole, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Once her condition improved, McCree got back to work - returning to Iowa Central in the spring of 2024 to train under head coach Jesse Montalto and offensive line coach Justice Clegg. That effort paid off.
By the summer, he was back in game shape and ready for the next chapter.
He landed at Washington in time for the 2024 season, where he contributed in both reserve and starting roles. That included coming off the bench against Eastern Michigan and in the Apple Cup against his new team, Washington State.
McCree also drew interest from other programs before committing to WSU. He visited LSU and received an offer, signaling just how much attention he attracted once he hit the portal. But in the end, it’s the Cougars who secured his services.
Now, the question becomes: where does McCree fit in the Cougars' offensive line picture?
WSU returns a full starting five - Ashton Tripp at left tackle, Jonny Lester at left guard, Kyle Martin at center, Noah Dunham at right guard, and Jaylin Caldwell at right tackle. That kind of continuity is rare and valuable, but depth is always at a premium in the trenches. McCree gives the Cougars exactly that - and possibly more.
Tripp is locked in at left tackle after starting all 13 games last season, but the right side could be a different story. Caldwell, the projected starter at right tackle, saw action in only two games last year due to a knee injury. If McCree is comfortable flipping sides, he could push for that spot - especially with his experience and versatility.
Also in the mix is Kalolo Ta’aga, a 6-foot-7 transfer from Utah who started his career at USC. Ta’aga is a natural right tackle, but he’s still developing, and McCree’s game reps could give him the edge early on.
This kind of competition is exactly what WSU’s offensive line room needs heading into spring ball. The starters are in place, but adding a veteran like McCree raises the floor - and possibly the ceiling - of the entire unit.
Bottom line: McCree brings more than just size and snaps. He brings a story of resilience, a blue-collar work ethic, and the kind of experience that can stabilize a line when injuries hit or when the game’s on the line. Whether he cracks the starting five or not, Washington State just got better in the trenches.