Tag: Washington State

Former Seahawks OL joins WAZZU coaching staff

Former Seahawks OL joins WAZZU coaching staff

Personally, I always love seeing former NFL players begin their coaching careers. It is completing the cycle, so to speak. As they were once the students, they now become the masters. Such is the case for former Seattle Seahawks guard Mike Iupati, who will be taking his knowledge to the Palouse.

Iupati has joined the Washington State Cougars’ staff to become their assistant offensive line coach. He will join first-year head coach Jimmy Rodgers, as they will seek to help the Cougars improve upon their 8-5 record from last year.

Iupati was a career-NFC West man. He was originally selected in the first round out of Idaho by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2010 NFL draft and spent the first the first five years of his career in the Bay Area. From there, he traveled to the Valley of the Sun to play with the Cardinals from 2015-2018, before ultimately ending his career with the Seahawks.

Iupati was a solid acquisition on Seattle’s offensive line, and in the two seasons he was with Seattle (2019 and 2020) the Seahawks made the playoffs twice, earned a division title, and won a playoff game. In fact, Iupati was a member of the last Seattle team that claimed a postseason victory.

Now he has returned to the northwest, albeit on the inland side of the state. We at Seahawks Wire wish him all the best with his new job in the Palouse.

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Unpacking Future Packers: No. 82, Washington State WR Kyle Williams

Up next in the Unpacking Future Packers draft preview series is Washington State receiver Kyle Williams.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL draft.

Christian Watson is likely going to miss a large portion of the 2025 season, as he recovers from a torn ACL. 

The Green Bay Packers need to find a way to replace his big-play potential. A wide receiver that Brian Gutekunst could target during the 2025 NFL Draft to help alleviate the absence of Watson is Kyle Williams. The Washington State wide receiver checks in at No. 82 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A transfer from UNLV, Williams recorded 61 receptions for 843 yards and six touchdowns during his first season at Washington State. 

This past season, Williams recorded career highs in receptions (70), receiving yards (1,198) and receiving touchdowns (14). 

“He was their best playmaker, far and away,” Jamey Vinnick, the Washington State beat writer for CougFan.com, said. “He was probably the best Cougar receiver in nearly 10 years and if anything, he was under-utilized.”

Williams has the vertical speed to stretch the defense. He chews up grass quickly with his strides and finds a second gear when he gets downfield quickly. The former UNLV wide receiver tracks the ball downfield without having to throttle down. Williams averaged 17.1 yards per catch this past season and had three games where he caught a pass of 50-plus yards.

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There are no wasted movements with Williams. He’s sharp in and out of his breaks to create separation. He does a good job of using subtle head bobs to set up defenders and varies his tempo to keep cornerbacks off balance. 

“His separation is impressive,” Vinnick said. “He does an excellent job getting open and creating space, no matter who the defender is. He toasted Travis Hunter several times last year.”

Williams is shifty after the catch and if the Cougar wide receiver makes the first defender miss, he could be making a house call. He has the quickness to destroy pursuit angles. According to Pro Football Focus, Williams racked up 590 yards after the catch this past season and forced 20 missed tackles.

“He is incredible after the catch,” Vinnick said. “Watch his touchdowns against Syracuse and Oregon State. Once he gets going, good luck. He’s speedy as all heck and has tremendous elusiveness.”

Fit with the Packers

A year ago, the Green Bay wide receiver room was the talk of the town. Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Watson, all showed flashes this year but were far too inconsistent. 

Now the question becomes which, if any of them earn second contracts with the Packers? That group needs to bounce back in a big way this season and they could have added competition to light a fire underneath them. 

With his big-play ability, Williams could be an attractive target for the Packers early on Day 3 of the upcoming draft. 

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“I think there is still untapped potential,” Vinnick said. “He was explosive this year, and when Washington State consistently got him the ball, he was unstoppable. He’s the type of wideout that if you get him the ball, he can make things happen every time he touches the pigskin.”

Daiyan Henley puts bow on Pro Bowl-caliber season

Daiyan Henley was among the biggest Pro Bowl snubs.

The Chargers had three players named to the 2025 Pro Bowl Games, but four should be headed to Orlando, FL.

Among the biggest snubs was linebacker Daiyan Henley, who had a sensational sophomore season. Henley further made his case in Sunday’s win over the Raiders.

Henley notched his first career interception late in the second quarter, picking off Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell on an underneath pass intended for running back Alexander Mattison.

“Just the surge, the rush, the feeling I haven’t felt in quite some time,” Henley said, per the team’s official website. “I’m used to getting picks, but man, it’s been a long season without one. That feeling was exhilarating.

“And I get to hear it a lot about being a coverage linebacker in this league because of how I play, me in the pass game, but I didn’t have no ball production to show for it,” Henley added. “To end the season at the right time with one, they say you get one more on the way.”

It’s surprising Henley did not have a single interception, as he finished the regular season as one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL. The former wide receiver and safety did finish with eight passes defended, however.

Henley had 147 tackles, the eighth most in the NFL. His presence in the middle of the defense has been crucial to the Chargers’ defensive success this season and the numbers back it up, which is why he was deserving a Pro Bowl spot.

“He’s had an All-Star season, he’s had a Pro-Bowl season,” head coach Jim Harbaugh said. “He’s going from shining star to superstar, I think he’s reached it and playing his best football.”

Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser named Wuerffel Trophy finalist

Jack is an award finalist for the second time this season.

Jack Kiser has had a fantastic graduate season for Notre Dame both on and off the field. The linebacker already has been named a finalist for the Campbell Trophy, which honors players for on-field performance, academic performance and community service. Now, he can add being a finalist for another trophy to his resume.

Kiser has been named one of three finalists for the Wuerffel Trophy alongside Penn State offensive lineman Nick Dawkins and Washington State kicker Dean Janikowski. This award is given to the player “who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field”. The winner will be announced live on ESPN on Dec. 12 and be invited to the Heisman Trophy festivities.

If Kiser were to win this award, he would be the second Notre Dame player to be so honored after fellow linebacker Drue Tranquill in 2018. Here’s the video the Irish released after he became a semifinalist:

Best of luck to Kiser as a finalist for both trophies he is up for.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

Could Miami QB Cam Ward be an option for the Seahawks in 2025?

Could Miami QB Cam Ward be an option for the Seahawks in 2025?

The Seattle Seahawks are sitting a 4-5 and in last place in the NFC West. Their most recent game, a 26-20 defeat in overtime to the Los Angeles Rams, was a particularly brutal showing for quarterback Geno Smith. Despite three touchdown passes and over 300 yards through the air, Smith tossed three interceptions… two of which were in the red zone and in the fourth quarter.

Smith’s abysmal play was fuel to the fire for a lot of 12’s out there who haven’t been convinced he should be Seattle’s long term option at the position. And while there are those who still have faith in No. 7, the reality of age and money will eventually set in. Next season, Smith will be 35 years old and on the last year of his three-year contract. Translation: no matter what, his time in Seattle will come to a conclusion sooner than later, and the Seahawks need to be focusing on finding a successor.

Enter: Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who was previously a Washington State Cougar. The Miami standout has been nothing short of phenomenal this season. Ward has thrown for 3,146 yards and 29 touchdowns against only six interceptions as his Hurricanes are 9-0. Needless to say, Ward looks to be one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL draft.

Which begs the question: should he be someone the Seahawks should target? Or, I guess a better one is this: is he even a realistic option for Seattle?

Anything can change between now and the draft, but at this point he is surely going to be among the top players selected. PFF even has him mocked at No. 1 overall to the Carolina Panthers. At four wins, the Seahawks could very well already be out of the running for the top pick in the draft, or even a top three or four selection. If they are, it would take a monumental haul for the right to even get to such a position to draft him.

Additionally, while Seattle is at 4-5, they are hardly out of it this year. They still have both games against the Arizona Cardinals, as well as rematches with the Rams and 49ers. They are far from out of it this year, and it is not in John Schneider’s nature to tank.

As fun as Cam Ward in a Seahawks uniform may be, at this point, it does not seem like it is a realistic outcome for Seattle.

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Massive skate greets boaters in rare encounter caught on video

Footage shows the alien-like skate approaching the vessel in Deer Harbor, Wash., as if to offer a seasonal greeting.

A Washington State harbor master on Tuesday captured rare footage showing an enormous skate swimming to his boat as if to offer a seasonal greeting.

“Halloween is coming early to Deer Harbor this year!” Deer Harbor Charters announced via Instagram, in reference to the sea creature’s alien-like appearance.

“Appropriately named ‘Big Skate,’ this impressive creature is the largest in the skate (Rajidae) family. It is rare for us to have such an amazing encounter!”

(Click here if footage doesn’t appear below.)

https://www.instagram.com/p/DBuK4f3qACP/

The harbor master is Marc Broman, who presumably is among those chatting in the audio.

According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, big skates range from central Baja California to the Bering Sea off Alaska. (The aquarium has at least one big skate on exhibit.)

They can measure 8 feet and they prey largely on shrimp, worms, clams and small fishes.

Big skates typically hide in the sand with only their eyes visible, so Tuesday’s surface encounter was indeed extraordinary.

Big skates are sometimes caught by anglers and, according to the International Game Fish Assn., the world record stands at 91 pounds, for a skate caught off Eureka, Ca., in 1993.

Virginia’s Tony Bennett, coach of Notre Dame ACC rival, retires

Big story in college basketball.

Notre Dame has part of the ACC for over a decade now, and it has gone against some legendary coaches during that time. While Virginia’s Tony Bennett doesn’t have quite the reputation of legends like Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim or Roy Williams, he has done a great job of building his own legacy.

When the Irish visit Charlottesville on Jan. 25 this season, the Cavaliers will look very different on the sidelines because Bennett reportedly has announced his retirement effective immediately. That this is happening less than a month before the start of the season is nothing short of surprising.

The Irish have gone 3-13 against Virginia since joining the ACC, and Bennett’s tenure with the Cavailers’ predates that period. But even before that, the Irish learned how good Bennett was when he coached Washington State to a 61-41 win over them in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

Bennett retires having won one national championship, two national coach of the year awards, six ACC regular-season championships, two ACC Tournament championships and four ACC Coach of the Year awards. He has an all-time record of 433-169:

https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status/1847009701877461379

Best of luck to Bennett in whatever comes next in his life.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

Week 2 Washington college football round-up

How did the major college football programs in the Evergreen State handle the second week of the season?

We may be focused primarily on the Seattle Seahawks with this publication, but we love all football, especially college football. Each week, we at Seahawks Wire will give a quick round-up of how the major football programs in the Evergreen State did over the weekend.

Last week, it was a strong showing for Eastern, Washington State and Washington, who all went 1-0 at home. Central Washington did not play, but they had their first game this past weekend. Without further ado, here is the latest installment for college football round-up:

Eastern Washington University: Eagles lose 35-32 in overtime to Drake

  • Saturday was one of the sloppiest games I can remember watching the Eagles play. For large portions of the game, it seemed as if neither team wanted to win. Endless penalties, untimely turnovers and poor clock management on both sides had this game headed into overtime at 29-29 despite several lead changes. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs prevailed in the first meeting between these schools with a walk-off touchdown in overtime.
  • Next Up: The Eagles go on the road for the first time this season as they head to Hammond, LA to play Southeastern Louisiana. The Lions are 0-2 this year, and are fresh off a 35-10 loss last week.

Central Washington University: Wildcats lose 26-7 to San Diego

  • Saturday marked the season debut for the Wildcats, who were on the road to play the University of San Diego Toreros. Unfortunately, they traveled back to Ellensburg with a multiple-score defeat. Quarterback Kennedy McGill completed only 50% of his passes for 109 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
  • Next Up: Central will be back on the road to play Colorado Mesa University.

Washington State University: Cougars dominate Texas Tech 37-16

  • Unofficially the Mike Leach Bowl, the Cougars hosted the Red Raiders as the two teams the legendary Leach both coached. In Leach’s honor, Washington State absolutely dominated Texas Tech with an astonishing 301 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. WAZZU had built up a 27-10 lead at halftime and the game was essentially over from there.
  • Next Up: The Apple Cup at Lumen Field.

University of Washington: Huskies defeat Eastern Michigan 30-9

  • The Huskies have successfully defended home turf twice to start the season in the Jedd Fisch era. Their opponents haven’t been world beaters by any means, but they took care of business by beating two teams they should easily succeed against. Now, the Huskies will go “on the road” to Lumen Field to play the Cougars in an Apple Cup that has lost significant meaning thanks to the near-dissolution of the Pac-12.
  • Next Up: The Apple Cup at Lumen Field

More Seahawks Wire stories

Seahawks created $9.5m in cap space by restructuring DK Metcalf’s contract

NFC West Watch: Division went 2-2 in Week 1

Around the NFL: Russell Wilson likely to miss 2nd-straight game

Mike Macdonald offers honest evaluation of OL play in Week 1

Can you spot the black bear peeking from the forest?

The images were captured by a USFWS employee in central Washington. Hint: Not all black bears have black fur.

Can you spot the black bear peeking from the forest in the Pacific Northwest?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asked a similar question Monday via social media and provided the main image and a second image showing a portion of the bear in a different location.

We’ve provided both images below, with the answer circled at the bottom of this post.

Can you spot the bear?

“In the Pacific Northwest, fish hatchery employees are accustomed to wildlife encounters, including black bears,” the USFWS post states.  “These photos were taken during a hike earlier this summer to check on water levels above Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, in the mountains of central Washington.”

Hint: Not all black bears have black fur, which appears evident in both of Mathew Maxey’s images.

Second image provided by USFWS Pacific Region

Viewers can click here to view the USFWS post. You might discover that I guessed the correct answer in the comments.

I’m also providing the answer in the image posted below.

Black bear looking toward the camera.

Rookie DB Jaden Hicks comments on his preseason debut vs. Jaguars

Jaden Hicks evaluated his own performance against the #Jaguars during comments to the media at #Chiefs training camp this week.

Fans got to see Kansas City Chiefs rookie Jaden Hicks for the first time against the Jaguars on Saturday, and judging from the praise he earned from Andy Reid and his teammates during the team’s post-game press conference, his performance was nothing short of superb.

Hicks, played at Washington State in his collegiate career, becoming a key fixture of the Cougars’ defense before being selected by Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft in April.

During comments to the media on Monday, Hicks was asked to evaluate his debut against Jacksonville. Though he seemed confident, he made it clear that Saturday’s outing was solid, if not spectacular.

“I would say I’m content with it,” Hicks explained. “There are some plays that I could have made – still plays to be out there. Overall, I think I did alright.”

Hicks further opened up on his current focus of transitioning into his role on the Chiefs’ special teams unit, and what he is looking to improve on during the rest of Kansas City’s training camp.

“[I am] just running down there using my abilities,” Hicks said. “With the new kickoff rule, that’s a bit of an adjustment with close spacing and stuff like that. Learning all the roles and plays on the defense, that’s going pretty smooth so far. I’m just looking to keep learning from that and keep going from here.”

“Things I need to work on, I would just say – overall, I would just say keep playing hard through the whistle. Some plays I was getting a little tired, but I mean playing on special teams and stuff like that at the end of the day. Yeah, just keep going straight through the whistle.”

Kansas City’s coaching staff has high hopes for the rookie and with veteran safety Justin Reid likely to be off the field for the Chiefs’ next tilt, Hicks will likely get another chance to impress as a starter.