In one of the more unexpected developments of the offseason, Washington State locked in a major piece of its offensive future on Tuesday, re-signing running back Maxwell Woods for the 2026 season. Woods becomes the fifth Cougar to re-up for next year, joining offensive linemen Ashton Tripp, Jonny Lester, and Jaylin Caldwell, along with linebacker Keith Brown. But make no mistake-Woods is the headline.
While Caldwell’s return raised a few eyebrows, Woods’ decision qualifies as the first true surprise of the cycle-and a welcome one for Cougar fans. Given his ties to Jimmy Rogers, now the head coach at Iowa State, and his Minnesota roots, there was a strong belief that Woods might follow Rogers to Ames. After all, Rogers recruited Woods not once, but twice-first to South Dakota State, then again to WSU.
But instead of heading closer to home, Woods is staying put in Pullman. And that says a lot about what Washington State is building under offensive coordinator Kirby Moore.
The appeal of Moore’s offensive system, which emphasizes versatility and explosive playmaking, may have been the key factor in Woods’ decision to stay. For a player like Woods, who can gash defenses on the ground and contribute in the passing game, Moore’s scheme is tailor-made.
Woods, a 5-foot-10, 192-pound back out of Carver, Minnesota, spent most of the regular season as Wazzu’s third or fourth option in the backfield. But then came the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl-and Woods made sure everyone knew his name.
In that game, he exploded for 117 rushing yards on just nine carries and added three receptions for 35 more. That performance wasn’t just a breakout-it was a statement.
And it landed him in the Cougar record books with the third-most rushing yards in a bowl game in program history.
Over the course of the season, Woods logged 36 carries for 225 yards-an impressive 6.3 yards per carry-and caught 18 passes for 138 yards. Those numbers, while not eye-popping in volume, show a player who made the most of his opportunities and flashed serious upside.
With Angel Johnson graduating and Kirby Vorhees expected to hit the transfer portal in early January, the Cougars’ backfield is wide open heading into 2026. That sets the stage for Woods to take on a much larger role-potentially even leading the group, depending on what fellow running back Leo Pulalasi decides in the coming weeks. Regardless, Woods’ speed and ability to hit the home run make him a perfect fit for Moore’s offense, which thrives on explosive plays and mismatches in space.
There’s still no official word on who will coach the running backs next season, but Woods’ decision to return suggests he’s either fully bought into Moore’s vision or knows more than the rest of us about who’s coming in. Either way, his commitment is a huge win for the Cougars.
Before arriving in Pullman, Woods spent a season at South Dakota State, where he appeared in seven games for the Jackrabbits. He ran for 176 yards and a touchdown on 29 carries and added five catches for 19 yards. That experience, combined with his growth at WSU, has shaped him into a dynamic weapon heading into Year 3.
And there’s more good news potentially on the way for the Cougar defense. While not yet officially announced by the school, defensive tackle Kaden Beatty posted on social media that he’s returning to WSU for 2026. If that holds, it’s another important piece retained-this time on the defensive side.
Beatty, a Kent State transfer, battled through injuries in his first year in Pullman but still managed to make his presence felt. He appeared in seven games, recording seven tackles, a shared sack, half a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup that sparked a now-infamous “sword” celebration among the Cougar DBs. At 6-foot, 285 pounds, Beatty brings a high-energy presence to the defensive front and could be a tone-setter next season if he stays healthy.
For Washington State, this re-signing period is already delivering more than expected. With Woods back in the fold and Beatty potentially returning, the Cougs are quietly building momentum heading into 2026.