PULLMAN, WA – Washington State University today announced its 23-member signing class for 2025. You can watch the press conference HERE and learn about the new Cougar football players HERE. Details are below as well.
2025 Signing Class (23)
Lucan Amituanai Fr. Edge 6-4 235 Sacramento, Calif. (Elk Grove HS)
Turner Bertrand Fr. OL 6-7 290 Kearney, Neb. (Kearney HS)
Jovan Clark * Fr. LB 5-11 200 Chicago, Ill. (Morgan Park HS)
Sean Embree Jr. * Fr. WR 6-4 170 Santa Margarita, Calif. (Santa Margarita HS)
Jack Foley * Fr. WR 6-4 200 Bend Ore. (Mountain View HS)
Ishmael Gibbs * Fr. DB 5-11 170 Los Angeles, Calif. (Chaminade HS)
Aiden Knapke * Fr. DB 6-0 195 Aurora, Colo. (Cherry Creek HS)
David Kuku Fr. DB 5-11 175 Kennewick, Wash. (Kamiakin HS)
Cash Landau Fr. TE 6-4 225 Portland, Ore. (Franklin HS)
Aidan Martin Fr. OL 6-6 265 Denver, Colo. (Northfield HS)
Gaylon McNeal Fr. DB 5-11 180 Fort Worth, Texas (North Crowley HS)
Kyle Peterson * Fr. DB 6-0 185 Pearland, Texas (Shadow Creek HS)
Steele Pizzella * Fr. QB 5-11 180 Simi Valley, Calif. (Notre Dame HS)
Josiah Pratt * Fr. DL 6-0 300 Houston, Texas (Summer Creek HS)
Peyton Read Fr. TE 6-6 220 Portland, Ore. (Westview HS)
Jamar Searcy Fr. RB 5-8 170 Oakland, Calif. (Pittsburg HS)
Jamarey Smith * Fr. DB 6-1 180 Santa Clarita, Calif. (Oaks Christian School)
Malijah Tucker Fr. DL 5-11 275 Tumwater, Wash. (Tumwater HS)
AJ Tuitele Fr. LB 6-3 210 North Las Vegas, Nev. (Mojave HS)
Liam Vaughan * Fr. OL 6-2 295 Walled Lake, Mich. (Walled Lake Western HS)
Luke Webb Fr. Edge 6-2 235 Huntington Beach, Calif. (Camas HS (Wash.)
Noah Westbrook Fr. WR 6-1 205 Corona, Calif. (Centennial HS)
Arion Williams Fr. OL 6-2 280 Fontana, Calif. (Orange Lutheran HS)
*Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice
Lucan Amituanai
Edge
6-4 / 235
Sacramento, Calif.
Elk Grove HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned two varsity letters under head coach John Heffernan at Elk Grove H.S…helped team to 7-5 record, 4-2 in Delta League, and a win over Kimball in first round of playoffs as a SENIOR…totaled 68 tackles, 36 solo, to go with 10 sacks…earned All-Delta League honors…season-best 13 tackles against Downey…added 11 tackles against Monterrey Trails…as a JUNIOR, named to 2023 Sacramento Bee All-Metro Team…collected 26 tackles, 16 solo, to go with 4.5 sacks…led team to 6-5 record, 5-1 in league play, reaching section playoffs…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 115 EDGE prospect in the country by 247Sports.com.
Turner Bertrand
Offensive Line
6-7 / 290
Kearney, Neb.
Kearney HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Kearney High School in Nebraska…as a JUNIOR, named among state’s top offensive linemen by SI.com and named to Class A All-Elite 33 Second Team…as a SENIOR, named to the Class A Preseason Elite 33 Team…rated three-star prospect and No. 13 overall prospect in Nebraska by ESPN.com…also plays basketball.
Jovan Clark
Linebacker
5-11 / 200
Chicago, Ill.
Morgan Park HS
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned four varsity letters under head coach Chris James…SENIOR season led team to 10-2 record and quarterfinal appearance in Illinois State 5A Championship…led team with 92 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss, six sacks and two interceptions…had season-best 15 tackles in 55-28 Round of 16 win over Metamora in State playoffs…named to News-Gazette’s All-State First Team and Chicago Public Legue Coaches All-Public League First Team…played safety as a JUNIOR and collected 61 tackles with three interceptions…helped team to 10-2 record and quarterfinal appearance at Illinois 5A State Championship…went 10-2 as a SOPHOMORE, reaching quarterfinals at Illinois 5A State Championship, posting 111 tackles, 12 TFL’s and five sacks…had seven-double-digit tackle games, including season-high 20 in state quarterfinal…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 34 overall prospect in Illinois by ESPN.com.
Sean Embree Jr.
Wide Receiver
6-4 / 170
Santa Margarita, Calif.
Santa Margarita HS
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Santa Margarita High School in southern California…as a SOPHOMORE, had 14 catches for 204 yards with three touchdowns…as a JUNIOR, caught 24 passes for 423 yards and four touchdowns…as a SENIOR, caught 31 passes for 615 yards and three touchdowns…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 115 overall prospect in California by 247Sports.com.
PERSONAL
Dad, Sean Jr. played tight end at Colorado in early 1990’s…uncle, Jon Embree played at Colorado in late 1980’s, played in the NFL, was the Colorado Head Coach 2011-12 and currently is an assistant coach with the Miami Dolphins…cousin, Taylor Embree was a wideout at UCLA and is the running backs coach for the New England Patriots…cousin, Connor was a wideout at UNLV and is the wide receivers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs…attended same high school as former Cougs Klay Thompson, WR River Cracraft, DL Nick Begg, OL Riley Sorenson, WR Kyle Sweet and current Cougar quarterback Jaxon Potter.
Jack Foley
Wide Receiver
6-4 / 200
Bend Ore.
Mountain View HS
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Mountain View High School in Oregon…as a JUNIOR, named 5A All-State first-team after catching 42 passes for 728 yards and school-record 17 touchdowns…as a SENIOR, named All-Intermountain Conference First Team after catching 52 passes for 1,192 yards and matched own school record with 17 receiving touchdowns…helped MVHS reach the 5A State Title game…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, and ESPN.com…rated fifth-best overall prospect in Oregon by 247Sports.com.
Ishmael Gibbs
Defensive Back
5-11 / 170
Los Angeles, Calif.
Chaminade HS
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
JUNIOR season posted 48 total tackles with five interceptions, including two returned for scores…had 15 total pass breakups…team went 7-6 and reached the third round of the Division 3 CIF Southern Section Playoffs…SOPHOMORE season totaled 37 tackles…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 88 overall prospect in California by ESPN.com.
Aiden Knapke
Defensive Back
6-0 / 195
Aurora, Colo.
Cherry Creek HS
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played four seasons under head coach Dave Logan at Cherry Creek H.S…led team to 12-1 record, Centennial League title, and a spot in the Colorado 5A Championship Game Dec. 7…as a SENIOR, has collected 106 tackles, 46 solo, with two interceptions, one which he returned 90 yards…had five double-digit tackle games, including season-best 17 in win over Highland Park…top-ranked defensive back in Colorado per 247Sports…named Preseason Best Player in Colorado by MaxPreps…JUNIOR season had 104 tackles and four interceptions while leading team to 13-1 record and a State runner-up finish…earned All-State, All-Conference and All-Colorado honors…Academic All-State…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated sixth-best overall prospect in Colorado by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com.
David Kuku
Defensive Back
5-11 / 175
Kennewick, Wash.
Kamiakin HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Played three seasons under Head Coach Scott Biglin… a SENIOR, named All-Mid-Columbia Conference First Team defensive back and second team wide receiver…led team to 8-4 record and the first round of the WIAA 4Q State Playoffs…JUNIOR season helped team to 10-3 record and semifinal berth in WIAA 4A State Championship…named Washington State Football Coaches Association 4A Defensive Player of the Year…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 78 cornerback prospect in the country and seventh-best overall prospect in Washington by 247Sports.com.
Cash Landau
Tight End
6-4 / 225
Portland, Ore.
Franklin HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Franklin High School in Portland…as a JUNIOR, named All-State Honorable Mention and All-PIL First Team after catching 61 passes for 1,108 yards and 17 touchdowns, led Oregon 6A in touchdowns…as a SENIOR, caught 41 passes for 554 yards and eight touchdowns…finished career with over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns…averaged 15 yards-per-catch…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com…rated No. 117 tight end in the country and No. 13 overall prospect in Oregon by 247Sports.com.
PERSONAL
Dad, Robert played offensive line at McGill University in Canada…mom, Deb Miller Landau rowed at the University of Victoria.
Aidan Martin
Offensive Line
6-6 / 265
Denver, Colo.
Northfield HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Northfield High School in Denver…as a JUNIOR, helped NHS to an 8-4 record…as a SENIOR, rated No. 10 prospect in the Colorado prior to the season by SI.com…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 107 offensive tackle prospect in the country and fifth-best overall prospect in Colorado by 247Sports.com.
Gaylon McNeal
Defensive Back
5-11 / 180
Fort Worth, Texas
North Crowley HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Played four varsity seasons under head coach Ray Gates at North Crowley…helped team to 13-0 record as a SENIOR, reaching the 2024 UIL Texas Football 6A D1 Championship quarterfinal, which will be played Dec. 7…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com.
Kyle Peterson
Defensive Back
6-0 / 185
Pearland, Texas
Shadow Creek HS
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played three seasons under head coach Tyrone Green at Shadow Creek H.S…SENIOR year led team to 9-2 record, 22-6A District Championship and an appearance in the UIL Texas 6A D2 Bi-District playoffs…totaled 48 tackles with six passes defended…had season-best 11 tackles in 52-0 win over Pasadena Memorial…unanimous All-District 22-6A First Team selection…JUNIOR season was named All-District 23-6A First Team after posting 50 tackles with four interceptions…helped Shadow Creek to a 9-2 record, a 6A District 23 title and a bi-district appearance in the UIL 6A Division I playoffs…rated three-star prospect 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 95 safety prospect in the country by ESPN.com.
Steele Pizzella
Quarterback
5-11 / 180
Simi Valley, Calif.
Notre Dame HS
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Notre Dame High School in southern California…as a JUNIOR, named to All-Mission League First Team, passed for 2,187 yards and 22 touchdowns with a 60 percent completion percentage, also rushed for 446 yards and five touchdowns…as a SENIOR, completed 183-of-301 passes for 2,610 yds and 29 touchdowns with a 60.8 completion percentage, rushed for 1,040 yards and eight touchdowns with three 100-yard games…as a junior running track, ran a 10.64 in the 100m, helped 4x100m relay finish fourth in state…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com …rated No. 26 dual-threat quarterback prospect in the country by ESPN.com.
Josiah Pratt
Defensive Line
6-0 / 300
Houston, Texas
Summer Creek HS
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned three varsity letters playing for head coach Kenny Harrison…as a SENIOR, helped Summer Creek to a 11-2 record and spot in Class 6A Division II regional final (to be played Dec. 6), defeating Katy Jordan in the regional semifinals 54-20…played in 12 games, totaling 62 tackles, 49 solo…added 17 tackles-for-loss and four sacks…had a season-best 10 tackles with two sacks in 59-0 win over Channelview…had eight tackles, including five TFL’s in 48-17 win over Humble…as a JUNIOR, helped Summer Creek to a Texas 6A D-II state runner-up finish, falling to DeSoto…named to All-District 21-6A First Team…had 70 tackles on season, 44 solo, with 16 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks…season-high 11 tackles in opening-season win over Klein Cain…SOPHOMORE season earned All-District 21-6A Honorable Mention honors…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com.
Peyton Read
Tight End
6-6 / 220
Portland, Ore.
Westview HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Westview High School in Portland…as a SENIOR, named to All-Metro League First Team as a defensive end and Third Team as a tight end…finished regular season with 42 catches for 500 yards and four touchdowns…also recorded five sacks and two forced fumbles…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com…rated No. 116 tight end prospect in the country and No. 13 overall prospect in Oregon by 247Sports.com.
Jamar Searcy
Running Back
5-8 / 170
Oakland, Calif.
Pittsburg HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Pittsburg High School in northern California…as a JUNIOR, totaled 1,596 yards including 971 rushing with ten touchdowns…as a SENIOR, named North Coast Section Co-Offensive Player of the Year…carried 151 times for 1,414 yards and 18 touchdowns with eight 100-yard games and averaged 9.4 yards-per-game…also caught 28 passes for 285 yards and three touchdowns…PHS is currently in the playoffs…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com. and ESPN.com…rated No. 118 athlete prospect in the country by ESPN.com.
Jamarey Smith
Defensive Back
6-1 / 180
Santa Clarita, Calif.
Oaks Christian School
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
Played three years under head coach Charles Collins at Oaks Christian…helped team to 9-4 record and spot in CIF Southern Section Division II semifinal…had 60 tackles, 46 solo, with two interceptions on season…both interceptions came in win over Pacifica, taking one back for a TD…season-best 11 tackles against Santa Margarita…JUNIOR season team posted helped team to 9-3 record and spot in CIF Southern Section Division II quarterfinal…had 57 tackles on season…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 115 overall prospect in California by ESPN.com
Malijah Tucker
Defensive Line
5-11 / 275
Tumwater, Wash.
Tumwater HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Tumwater High School in Washington…as a JUNIOR, named to 2A All-State First Team and All-Area First Team after making 85 tackles with 18 tackles-for-loss including eight sacks…also named All-Evergreen League First Team and All-Area Second Team by Tacoma News Tribune…as a SENIOR, named Evergreen League Co-Defensive MVP after making 51 tackles with 14 tackles-for-loss including six sacks, two fumble recoveries, two blocked kicks and three passes batted down…THS will play for the 2A State Title this Saturday in Seattle…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 110 defensive tackle prospect in the country and No. 13 overall prospect in Washington by ESPN.com.
AJ Tuitele
Linebacker
6-3 / 210
North Las Vegas, Nev.
Mojave HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Earned one varsity letter under head coach Wes Pacheco at Mojave High School…led team to 12-1 record, including a 6-0 league mark, en route to winning the Nevada 4A State Championship…SENIOR season amassed 167 tackles, 46 solo, in 13 games, including 37 tackles-for-loss and four sacks…he added 189 yards rushing on 15 carries for four touchdowns…had 10 games of double-digit tackles, including season-best 20 on two occasions, vs. Cimarron-Memorial and Somerset Academy Losee, both wins…had 19 tackles with 5 TFL’s in win over Virgin Valley and 11 tackles with season-best 7 TFLs in win over Western…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 49 inside linebacker prospect in the country and No. 11 overall prospect in Nevada by ESPN.com.
Liam Vaughan
Offensive Line
6-2 / 295
Walled Lake, Mich.
Walled Lake Western HS
WASHINGTON STATE
FRESHMAN (2025): Will enroll in January and participate in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Walled Lake Western High School in Michigan…as a JUNIOR, All-State First Team…also named All-State in wrestling and qualified for State in shot put as a junior…as a SENIOR, did not allow sack or a quarterback hurry with 108 pancakes…defensively, recorded 10.5 tackles-for-loss with three sacks, two fumble recoveries, one blocked field goal and one blocked PAT…two-year team captain, four-year starter and helped WLWHS to a 37-9 career record…two-time Anvil Award Finalist, the award given to the top OL/DL in the state…first player in league history to be four-time all-league…three-time All-Region first-team…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 81 offensive guard prospect in the country and No. 27 overall prospect in Michigan by ESPN.com.
PERSONAL
Older brother, Aidan Vaughan was a linebacker at Wisconsin (2022-23) and is currently playing at Liberty.
Luke Webb
Edge
6-2 / 235
Huntington Beach, Calif.
Camas HS (Wash.)
HIGH SCHOOL
Played first three seasons at JSerra High School in southern California…played senior season under head coach Adam Mathieson at Camas High School in Washington…as a SENIOR at Camas HS, helping team to a 13-0 record and a berth in the WIAA 4A Championship game Dec. 7…in 11 games, totaled 65 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks…named All- Greater St. Helens League First Team…has season-high 11 tackles in state semifinal win over Gonzaga Prep…had four TFL’s in 63-10 win over Union…as a JUNIOR at JSerra HS, collected 37 tackles, 15 solo, with three tackles for loss…helped team to 9-2 record…SOPHOMORE season has 53 tackles in 10 games, with eight sacks…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 85 EDGE prospect in the country and No. 13 overall prospect in Washington by 247Sports.com.
Noah Westbrook
Wide Receiver
6-1 / 205
Corona, Calif.
Centennial HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Centennial High School in southern California…as a JUNIOR, caught 27 passes for 469 yards and nine receiving touchdowns…as a SENIOR, had 30 receptions for 413 yards and five touchdowns…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com.
Arion Williams
Offensive Line
6-2 / 280
Fontana, Calif.
Orange Lutheran HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Orange Lutheran High School in southern California…as a JUNIOR, named to All-Trinity League First Team…as a SENIOR, named to All-Trinity League First Team…named to Preseason All-Orange County Team…rated three-star prospect by 247Sports.com, Rivals.com and ESPN.com…rated No. 82 offensive guard prospect in the country by ESPN.com.
