Washington State’s Rodrick Fisher catches three passes, touchdown in Joe Albi homecoming

Rodrick Fisher’s football-playing career in Spokane didn’t technically end last November when his East Valley Knights cruised past North Central 34-17 in a nonleague game at Joe Albi Stadium.

That may have signaled the culmination of Fisher’s standout prep career, but the former East Valley wideout returned to a familiar setting – and played in front of some familiar faces – Saturday afternoon at Washington State’s Crimson and Gray game.

At Joe Albi Stadium, Fisher, a true freshman and early enrollee for the Cougars, caught two passes from quarterback Trey Tinsley during the third series of the scrimmage. The first went for 7 yards and nearly took Fisher into the end zone, but he stumbled out of bounds at the 1-yard line.

After a negative rushing play that set the offense back 2 yards, Tinsley looked Fisher’s way again and found him over the middle for a 3-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Fisher caught his third pass of the scrimmage, a big gainer from fellow early enrollee Cammon Cooper. Fisher broke past a defender near the left sideline, hauled in a pass from Cooper and ran until he was pushed out of bounds for a 26-yard reception.

Fisher was targeted once more during the scrimmage, but an intermediate pass from Tinsley skimmed across his fingertips and fell incomplete.

“I think Rodrick’s progressively getting better,” WSU coach Mike Leach said. “He’s caught the ball pretty well since he’s been here. Trying to refine his routes a little bit, but he came out here today ready to play. Sometimes freshmen will be nervous or unsettled, but he didn’t seem to be.”

Fisher finished with three catches for 37 yards and one TD. In his previous game at Albi, Fisher had seven catches for 92 yards and reeled in a 17-yard touchdown against NC.

An “X” (outside) receiver for WSU, Fisher has backed up sophomore Tay Martin this spring and could contribute to the Cougars during his rookie season. Fisher, who caught 98 passes and scored 16 touchdowns in his final two seasons at East Valley, has reeled in a TD during each of the Cougars’ three scrimmages this spring.

“Spokane guy, local guy, and I’m sure he had a great day in his hometown catching a touchdown,” fellow receiver Kyle Sweet said. “He’s been working pretty hard.”