WSU makes it official: 3 JUCOs, 2 grayshirts

AS EXPECTED, WSU officially announced the signings of three midyear junior college players plus the financial aid signings of two grayshirts for the class of 2013. All five will arrive in January at Washington State, enroll for the spring semester which begins on Jan. 7 and get an early jump with the Cougs by going through spring ball out on the Palouse.

The junior college trio signing letters of intent were Lyman Faoliu, Ivan McLennan and Jacob Seydel. Robert Lewis and B.J. Salmonson, who were a part of Leach’s 2012 signing class but delayed enrollment, signed financial aid agreements.

“We are excited about the start to this class,” said Leach. “Our coaching staff has worked extremely hard over the past year and this class is going to be key for us in the future,” said Leach. “Lyman and Jacob give us added size on both lines which is always a priority and Ivan gives us another athletic playmaker on defense. Robert will certainly add speed to our receiving unit and B.J. is a person who is physical and embraces contact.

“Having all five in school in January gives them an opportunity to adjust to a new environment and have the benefit of going through winter conditioning and spring practice.”

Faoliu is a 6-2, 275-pound defensive end from the College of San Mateo. In 2012 he recorded 46 tackles, including 3.5 tackles-for-loss and two sacks, while being named to the All-NorCal Conference team. He had a season-high nine tackles against DeAnza while leading his team to a 7-4 record.

McLennan is a 6-3, 220-pound linebacker out of El Camino Junior College who could be ticketed for WSU's BUCK linebacker spot. During his two seasons at El Camino, McLennan collected 156 total tackles, 20 tackles-for-loss and 4.5 sacks. He was twice named to the all-Central Coast Conference team. In a CF.C story published earlier on Wednesday, McLennan among other things talked about how he declined a late offer from Miami.

Seydel is a 6-6, 285-pound offensive lineman out of Riverside Community College. He anchored an o-line that helped Riverside to a 9-2 record in 2012 and led the conference in scoring, yards per game and passing yards. He garnered All-Central Coast First Team honors this past season. Seydel enrolled at UCLA following his freshman year but returned to Riverside prior to the 2012 season.

Lewis originally signed a National Letter of Intent in February, 2012, but delayed his enrollment at WSU until the 2013 spring semester. Listed as a 5-10, 160-pound wide receiver by WSU, he hails from South East High in South Gate, Calif. and led his team to a 13-1 record and the City Section D-II Championship in 2011. Following the season he was named the Player of the year in the division, league and region and was an All-Area First Team selection by the Los Angeles Times.

Salmonson is 6-5, 285-pound offensive lineman from Nooksack Valley High School in Everson, Wash. He also was a member of Mike Leach’s inaugural signing class in 2012 before delaying enrollment. He was a two-time All-State honoree by the Associated Press, first team as a senior in 2011, and was selected to the All-Northwest Conference first team on both lines each of his final two seasons.