LeJuan Watts is Reportedly Set to Visit Texas Tech, Could He Still Return to WSU?

LeJuan Watts is reportedly set to visit Texas Tech this weekend. Even with this visit is there a chance he could still return to WSU? 

According to 247 sports LeJuan Watts is currently the 8th best transfer player available, making him one of the most valuable players in the transfer portal. Texas Tech has a seemingly unlimited amount of NIL money as it has been reported that they gave JT Toppin around $4 million to stay another year and forego the NBA draft. Given what Texas Tech is willing to pay JT Toppin and what other Power 5 starters are being paid it is reasonable to assume that Texas Tech's offer for LeJuan Watts exceeds 7 figures. 

With that background on Texas Tech, what can WSU offer LeJuan Watts. The biggest advantage WSU has is the fact that David Riley and LeJuan Watts have built a good relationship over their last three years together. David Riley has helped develop LeJuan into the player he is today. WSU can also offer LeJuan the opportunity to be the star player and have the ball in his hands nearly every possession. Texas Tech can't offer this, as there roster is loaded with guys who will demand that the ball be in their hands.

On the NIL side there is no question that if LeJuan were to stay at WSU he would be taking a pay cut. But is it possible WSUs offer is enough mixed with other factors to make him stay? Cedric Coward was WSUs highest earner this year and made around 350k. Is there any way the Cougar Collective in collaboration with other businesses get an offer for LeJuan Watts over half a million? Seems like an uphill battle but not impossible, even still the unfortunate reality is this would still likely come in well under what Texas Tech can pay him. 

Another interesting note is the fact that LeJuan Watts has not posted/announced on his Instagram or X that he has entered the transfer portal. While this doesn't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things, it could mean he is still open to the idea of returning to WSU.

When asking a collegiate athlete to take a pay cut you have to offer tremendous value in other areas. WSU probably offers a better chance at development and maybe even gives him a better chance to make the NBA than he would at another school. His familiarity with the staff gives David Riley and staff a puncher's chance of keeping LeJuan. 


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