Kansas State QB Lopina transfers to Cougars

Kansas State quarterback Kevin Lopina is transferring to Washington State University, adding to an already crowded stable at the position.

Lopina spent one year at Kansas State before the California native decided to return to the West Coast. Lopina was in a five-way battle for the starting quarterback duties at KSU, although by the end of spring practices he appeared to be no higher than third on the depth chart.

Former Kansas State assistant Greg Peterson was added to the Cougars coaching staff this off-season. His presence was apparently a significant factor in Lopina’s decision to attend WSU.

Lopina will not be allowed to play in any games this year because of NCAA transfer rules. That shouldn’t be much of an issue, however, as the Cougars have four other scholarship quarterbacks in the mix, all underclassmen.

Beginning in 2007, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound Lopina will have three years of eligibility left. He is already in Pullman attending summer classes.

Coming out of famed De La Salle High School in California, Lopina was rated the 23rd-best quarterback prospect in the country by scout.com. In 2004, his senior season, he threw for nearly 1,400 yards and ran for 750 more while leading the Spartans to an eight-win season.

Sophomore Gary Rogers is set to be Alex Brink’s primary backup this fall, but Lopina will be one of three players in his redshirt freshman year at the position, alongside Arkelon Hall and Cole Morgan.