PULLMAN — Washington State announced it will be holding its annual Pro Day on Friday, and seven Cougars are set to go through drills in front of NFL and pro football scouts.

The event is not open to the public, with WSU requesting the time and location of the events not be shared. Cougfan.com will be there to bring you the action.

The Cougars announced to participate: WR Kyle Williams, OT Esa Pole, DEs Andrew Edson and Nusi Malani, TE Cooper Mathers, safety Tanner Moku, and kicker Dean Janikowski.

Considering that the Cougars honored 17 players on Senior Day last year, it might seem a surprisingly low number.

But Kyle Thornton told CF.C last December that he was retiring from the game of football as a player, and Kapena Gushiken received an extra year of eligibility and transferred to Ole Miss. Jerrae Williams also retired and entered the coaching game, and it would also seem as if Syrus Webster, Quinn Roff, Tyson Durant, Kyle Maxwell, Wesley Steiner, Billy Riviere, and Cole Norah are moving on to life after football.

Without a doubt, Williams will be the player that draws the most eyes from the scouts in attendance. He just finished his workouts at the NFL Combine, running the 40-yard dash in 4.40 seconds. His planned level of participation is unknown but the 5-11, 190-pound wideout might want to improve on a specific combine test or two in Indianapolis, whether that’s his short-term speed, jumping, strength or something else.

Pole is another intriguing name to watch.

The 6-7, 319-pound product of Hayward, Calif., was a surprising omission from the NFL Combine, considering his size and 2024 season. This will be a prime opportunity for him to showcase his footwork and what he can do to make an impact at the NFL level.

Williams and Pole are the only two Cougars on Pro Football Focus’ Big Board, checking in at No. 158 and No. 295, respectively. Williams participated in the Senior Bowl, the premier all-star event, with Pole taking part in the East-West Shrine Bowl.

AS FOR THE other Cougars participating in Pro Day, they might not have the same pre-draft buzz on the national scale as Williams and Pole but will instead be looking to make a lasting impression on the scouts. Mathers, Malani, and Moku all spent time on special teams and could try and find roles in that regard: and consider how Cam Lampkin got into four NFL games this past season with the L.A. Rams.

Edson’s selling points are his work ethic and tireless motor, and those doesn’t always show up in combine-type drills. But his performance could also convince some scout on hand to go back and take a long look at his game tape. 

With Janikowski, NFL kicker signings are frequent (sticking with a team is a different story but getting your foot in the door is the first, important step). If he can do a good enough job booting the ball Friday, a pro team might keep him in mind and give him a shot.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT ASPECT to remember: the Pro Day event is not just for NFL teams. There are normally some CFL scouts sprinkled in and observing, and that can be a great outlet for players who want to keep playing the game of football, but aren’t seen as quite having NFL chops.

The Cougar players currently listed on CFL rosters: Dezmon Patmon, Devin Richardson, Lincoln Victor, Christy Nkanu, and Jamal Morrow.

Plus, the UFL is rolling again. A quick check of UFL rosters shows the crimson names of Daniel Isom, Armani Marsh, RJ Stone, Derrick Langford, and Jarrett Guarantano.

Related: Kyle Williams burns rubber at NFL Combine with impressive 40 time

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