As the college football season winds down, the transfer portal becomes a hot topic—especially for teams like Washington State University (WSU) who are navigating big changes. With head coach Jimmy Rogers leaving for Iowa State and defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit stepping in as interim, the Cougars are bracing for a whirlwind of player movement.
Let’s take a closer look at WSU’s transfer portal situation, the players leaving, and what this could mean for the team as they move forward. It’s a lot to process, honestly.
Washington State University’s Transfer Portal: An Overview
At WSU, the transfer portal season is in full swing. The Cougars are preparing for a bowl game without a head coach, which adds another layer of uncertainty and adjustment.
After Jimmy Rogers moved to Iowa State, the team found itself under the interim leadership of Jesse Bobbit. There’s even talk that Bobbit might join Rogers’ staff in Ames, which only adds to the instability.
This coaching shuffle has hit the roster hard. Several players have already announced plans to enter the transfer portal, even though it doesn’t officially open until January 2.
Players Departing from WSU
The following players have already declared their plans to transfer:
- Jaxon Potter, QB, rs-so.
- Anthony Palano, LB, rs-fr.
- Kenny Worthy, CB, rs-fr.
- Devin Ellison, WR, rs-jr.
- Jovan Clark, LB, fr.
Detailed Analysis of Outgoing Players
Jaxon Potter, Quarterback
In his third season at WSU, Jaxon Potter earned the starting quarterback job out of fall camp. He beat out veteran Zevi Eckhaus and transfer Julian Dugger for the spot.
But the promising start faded fast. After throwing three interceptions in the first half of a blowout loss to North Texas, coaches benched him for Eckhaus.
Potter, a third-year sophomore from Huntington Beach, California, completed 67 of 95 passes (71%) for 604 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. His pocket-passing style just didn’t fit with the coaching staff’s push for more mobility at quarterback, so he found himself on the outside looking in.
Anthony Palano, Linebacker
Anthony Palano, a redshirt freshman linebacker from the Chicago area, started his first seven games at middle linebacker. He racked up 63 tackles (25 solo), 0.5 sacks, and two pass breakups.
But as the season wore on, Palano lost snaps to true freshman Sullivan Schlimgen. He missed 17 tackles in 11 games, and that probably weighed into his decision to transfer.
Kenny Worthy, Cornerback
Kenny Worthy, a redshirt freshman from the Phoenix area, played backup cornerback this season and logged 348 total snaps on defense. He finished with 23 tackles (13 solo) and one pass breakup.
He allowed 15 receptions on 28 targets, which is pretty respectable for a first-year player. Worthy seemed like he was on the verge of a bigger role, so his transfer stings a bit.
Devin Ellison, Wide Receiver
Devin Ellison’s time at WSU was short and, honestly, a bit rocky. He played just 19 snaps in two games before leaving the team in mid-November.
Ellison had three catches for 52 yards and a touchdown—all in WSU’s loss to rival Washington in the Apple Cup. A former junior college standout, he turned down UCF and Boise State to come to Pullman, but injuries and lack of playing time pushed him out the door early.
Jovan Clark, Linebacker
Jovan Clark, a freshman linebacker from the Chicago area, never saw the field at WSU. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Clark’s hoping for a fresh start somewhere else and maybe a real shot to show what he can do.
Implications for Washington State University
With these departures, WSU heads into a period of transition. The loss of players like Jaxon Potter and Anthony Palano—who both played major roles—means the new coaching staff needs to find answers quickly.
The transfer portal’s a double-edged sword. It brings in fresh faces, sure, but it also means saying goodbye to some valuable talent. It’s a tough spot for any team, and it’ll be interesting to see how WSU adapts this offseason.
The Road Ahead
WSU’s in a period of change, and right now, it’s all about recruiting and keeping talent around. Whoever steps in as the new head coach will need to stabilize things fast.
Building a cohesive team that can actually compete at a high level? That’s not going to be easy. The transfer portal will shape the roster in ways we probably can’t predict just yet.
Some players coming in could make a real difference from day one. For more details on who’s entering the portal and a bit about their backgrounds, check out the live tracker of Cougs in the portal.
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