Cougars Build On Successful Season Top Jc Running Back Expected To Pick Washington State Over Washington

There are two things to remember during the rush to assess Washington State’s latest football recruiting class, which coach Mike Price unveiled during Wednesday’s national letter-of-intent day.

No. 1: This might be the best recruiting class in school history, allowing the Cougars to build upon last season’s Pacific-10 Conference championship.

No. 2: This might be an entirely forgettable recruiting class, dooming the Cougars to mediocrity.

It’s simply too early to make any definitive judgments. Price knows this better than most. After all, four of his Rose Bowl starters weren’t even recruited out of high school (Shawn Tims, Todd Nelson, Lee Harrison and Cory Withrow).

That’s why Price remains undaunted by widespread reports that rank WSU’s latest class anywhere from seventh to ninth in the Pac-10.

Most observers have already anointed UCLA as the Pac-10’s undisputed recruiting champ for 1998, although no one can be sure just who, five years hence, might wind up carrying the ball on fourth-and-goal from the 1.

As usual, the strength of WSU’s class may ultimately hinge on how well several less-heralded players develop.

The Cougars received letters of intent from 21 players Wednesday - 19 high school seniors and two junior-college transfers. Additional letters were expected from at least two more JC transfers, including Kevin Brown, an All-America tailback from City College of San Francisco.

WSU had 25 scholarships to offer, the NCAA maximum for one season.

Brown’s impending signing may have scared off another tailback. Jelani Harrison, a senior at Sierra High School in Gardena, Calif., signed with Washington after reneging on an oral commitment to WSU.

Brown was recruited by the Huskies and is among several higher-profile recruits to choose WSU - perhaps the most tangible reward of the Cougars’ Rose Bowl season.

Among the other notable signees:

Ing Aleaga, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound defensive lineman from Aiea High School near Honolulu. Aleaga is the younger brother of former Washington linebacker Ink Aleaga, now with the New Orleans Saints.

“He is awesome and we’re very, very proud to have Ing with us,” Price said. “He’s big, thick, strong and has great character.”

Aleaga didn’t even visit Washington, reportedly because he wanted to forge a separate identity elsewhere. At WSU, he may be able to step in immediately.

Leaford Hackett, a 5-9, 180-pound receiver from Los Angeles Valley College. Hackett is one of five newly signed receivers.

The remaining four, led by Tim Lemon and Derrick Dillon, are prep signees.

“This is our best group of receivers ever signed,” Price said. “It’s certainly the most.”

Chris Martin, a 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback from City College of San Francisco. Martin, originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., could start opposite Dee Moronkola.

Joey Hollenback, a 6-5, 275-pound offensive lineman from Enumclaw High School.

In all, the Cougars received letters from five receivers, four defensive linemen, four offensive linemen, three defensive backs, two tight ends, one linebacker, one cornerback and an all-purpose player (Ramin White).

Quarterback Bryan Paul and punter Kareem Anderson, a pair of JC transfers, signed before the Rose Bowl and have already enrolled.

The most intriguing signing may be Jason Gesser, a 6-2, 195-pound quarterback from St. Louis High School in Honolulu. Gesser has the talent to challenge for the starting job immediately, Price said.

Junior Steve Birnbaum was considered the favorite to succeed Ryan Leaf, at least until it was learned that Birnbaum will miss all of spring practices after undergoing knee surgery.

While Birnbaum recuperates, Gesser and Paul will battle sophomore Paul Mencke and freshman Sam Baurichter. Gesser passed for more than 5,000 yards and 60 touchdowns during his high school career.

“There were five excellent high school quarterbacks in the state of Washington this year, and we would have taken one of them most years if we hadn’t been recruiting Jason,” Price said. “He’s the best in my opinion, and that’s not a knock on any of those other guys.”

Walla Walla’s Jared Jones, who signed with Florida State, was the most heavily recruited quarterback in Washington.

Gesser, Aleaga, Hollenback and Lemon probably have the best chance to make an impact as freshmen, Price said.

Other freshmen to watch are Fred Shavies, a 6-2, 245-pound linebacker from Oakland, Calif.; and Phil Locker, a 6-6, 292-pound lineman from Alaska.

Price compared Shavies to former defensive end DeWayne Patterson. Like Patterson, Shavies will be tried first at linebacker.

Tyler Hunt, a 6-3, 265-pounder from Tacoma’s Wilson High, will be given a chance to succeed Jason McEndoo as long-snapper.

The Cougars also received a commitment from defensive lineman Eric Boose, whose older brother, Dorian, led the Cougars in sacks over the last two seasons. At 6-3, Eric Boose is three inches shorter than Dorian, but he enjoyed a more productive high school career.

“This is our best recruiting class ever,” Price said, echoing what has become an annual proclamation. “We ruled out kids for the first time.”

, DataTimes