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Isaiah Johnson-Mack granted release from Washington State football program

Washington State wide receiver Isaiah Johnson-Mack (9) runs on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. (Young Kwak / AP)
By Theo Lawson theol@spokesman.com(509) 459-5584

PULLMAN – Isaiah Johnson-Mack has been granted his release from the Washington State football program.

The sophomore wide receiver, who’d previously claimed Cougars coach Mike Leach wasn’t permitting him to leave the Cougars, announced Monday night that the school will allow him to speak to FBS schools in Johnson-Mack’s home state of Florida in addition to all FCS institutions.

Johnson-Mack announced his release via Twitter.

“Washington State University grants FBS institutions within the State of Florida and all FCS institutions permission to contact Mr. Johnson,” the school wrote in a letter that Johnson-Mack posted. “We wish Isaiah the best of success in his future academic endeavors.”

Last Thursday, Johnson-Mack, a native of Belle Glade, Florida, expressed plans to transfer from WSU in a tweet last Thursday. Johnson-Mack cited a desire to play college football closer to home so he could be closer to his “2-year-old son and soon to be 1 year-old-daughter.”

In a tweet two days later, the outside receiver wrote that Leach had “denied my release.” Johnson-Mack and Leach were expected to resolve the issue on Friday, but the WSU coach had a flight to Pullman rescheduled and didn’t return to Pullman until Saturday morning.

During the regular season, Johnson-Mack ranked third on the team in receptions (61), second in receiving yards (555) and tied for second in touchdown catches (5).

Johnson-Mack’s high school teammate Tavares Martin Jr. was the Cougars’ leading receiver this season, but neither will be with WSU for the Dec. 28 Holiday Bowl against Michigan State. Martin Jr. was recently dismissed from the Cougars for a violation of team rules.