PULLMAN — It’s been a unique year for Washington State offensive coordinator Danny Freund.
The past winter brought Freund’s second move in as many years as he followed his boss, head coach Jimmy Rogers, and colleagues from South Dakota State to Washington State.
Now, he is tasked with evaluating a four-man race to determine WSU’s starting quarterback.
Fifth-year senior Zevi Eckhaus, third-year Coug Jaxon Potter and underclassmen transfers Ajani Sheppard and Julian Dugger are vying to be the one walking onto the field just after 7 p.m. Aug. 30 when WSU opens the season opposite the Idaho Vandals.
Freund said it’s the first time in his career that he has overseen a QB competition of this magnitude.
“Coach Rogers and I have talked about it,” Freund said. “Usually, it’s between two guys, right? If you have a competition, it’s one or the other, or maybe there’s a third that’s in there, and there’s four now. … It’s very unique.”
Retaining Eckhaus and Potter
Rogers and Freund retained key cogs of the quarterback room after WSU’s 2024 starter, John Mateer, was long gone for the SEC’s Oklahoma.
Rogers said he was impressed by Eckhaus’ composure during WSU’s Holiday Bowl loss to Syracuse in which the senior QB passed for more than 300 yards, ran for a score and tossed three touchdowns.
Eckhaus entered the portal following Rogers’ hiring, but stayed in touch with the new head man.
When Rogers’ SDSU QB Mark Gronowski chose Iowa, Eckhaus returned to Pullman.
“WSU is where I wanted to and want to be,” Eckhaus said in January. “Once (Rogers) gave me the word, ‘Mark (Gronowski) is not coming,’ I got right back in the boat.”
However, Eckhaus’ return did not guarantee him the starting job.
Potter, a 6-foot-5 third-year Coug out of Huntington Beach, Calif., impressed both the previous…
Source link : https://www.lmtribune.com/sports/four-man-quarterback-race-provides-unique-challenge-to-coug-coaching-staff-20116070
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Publish date : 2025-08-06 12:19:00
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