Meet WSU’s 21 Non-SDSU Transfers

Meet WSU’s 21 Non-SDSU Transfers

The Cougs had 37 total transfers into the program this offseason. 21 of these transfers came from a school other than South Dakota State. The last post got you familiar with the 16 South Dakota State transfers, this one will get you familiar with the 21 other transfers. 

Julian Dugger QB (PITT)

Dugger comes to WSU as a redshirt freshman after spending his redshirt season at PITT last year. Duggar came in during PITTs bowl game against Toledo and looked impressive. He is a true dual threat and has a lot of upside. He is currently in a 4 way QB battle, but if he does not win the job I would still expect to see him get some snaps this year similar to how John Mateer did when he backed up Cam Ward. 

Mike Sandjo DT (SMU)

Sandjo comes to WSU as a redshirt senior after spending the last three seasons at SMU. He played in five games last year for an SMU team that made it to the college football playoffs Sandjo projects as someone who could work his way into the DT rotation this season. The defensive line is a position group that is much improved thanks to the spring transfer portal. 

Kai Rapolla CB (Cal Poly)

Rapolla becomes a Coug after spending the last three years at Cal Poly, he will be a redshirt junior. Rapolla had a breakout year last year recording 41 tackles, 2 interceptions and five pass breakups. It seems very likely that Rapolla will work himself into a position to play a lot of snaps this season. 

Devin Ellison WR (Monterey Peninsula College)

Ellison joins WSU the Cougs as a redshirt junior from junior college. Ellison was one of the biggest recruiting wins this offseason for Jimmy Rogers and staff. Ellison was the number seventh ranked juco WR this year and chose the Cougs over Boise State and UCF. Ellison projects as an impact guy in a solid WR room this year. 

Duhron Goodman S (College of Canyons)

Goodman comes to Pullman as a junior after spending last season at College of the Canyons and the year before at Portland State. I project Goodman as more of a depth piece this year. He has not used a redshirt yet so I could see that being a possibility based on where he lands on the depth chart.

Buddha Peleti DE (New Mexico State) 

Peleti comes from New Mexico State and joins the Cougs as a senior after spending the last 3 years at NMSU. Peleti projects as a potential starter on the defensive line this season. Reports out of fall camp say that Peleti has looked really good and given the offensive line a lot of problems. Look for Peleti to make a big impact on the 2025 defense this year. 

AJ Davis CB (SMU)

AJ Davis comes to Pullman by way of SMU as a redshirt junior. Davis played 10 games for CFP bound SMU last season. I believe Davis will be a really nice addition to the CB room and will make an impact on the new look secondary in 2025. 

Ajani Sheppard QB (Rutgers)

Sheppard joined the Cougs in the spring transfer portal as a redshirt sophomore after spending the last two years at Rutgers. Sheppard currently finds himself in a four way battle to be named the starting QB. Even if Sheppard does not win the starting QB job, similar to Dugger he could see himself on the field for special packages. 

Jeremiah Noga WR (Oregon State) 

Noga comes to Pullman as a redshirt senior after spending the last four years in Corvallis. Noga was a spring portal addition but looks to add depth to the receiver core. It seems likely that Noga will be able to carve out a nice role for himself this year. He has shown that he can play at a high level, last season he had 23 catches for 266 yards for Oregon State. 

Troy Petz P (Washington) 

Petz comes from UW (gross!) as a redshirt sophomore. He never saw action in his time at UW. I am not sure exactly where the punting competition currently stands, but it is interesting that we have multiple puters this season. 

Gavin Barthiel LB (Utah State) 

Barthiel comes back to WSU as a redshirt senior after spending the last two years at Utah State. Barthiel is competing for a starting job this fall but I project him as a likely backup and a very solid depth piece in the linebacker room. 

Colton Peoples LS (Tennessee Martin)

Peoples joins the Cougs as a senior after spending the last two years at Tennessee Martin. Peoples spent his freshman year at Notre Dame and even saw action in ten games. I don't know where the long snapper battle currently stands but Peoples does have an interesting resume. 

Sone Falealo OL (Idaho) 

Falealo comes to Pullman from just 8 miles away after taking a redshirt year at The University of Idaho last year. Falealo is a guy that the new coaching staff is going to look to mold and develop. He has a 6-6, 310 pound frame and appears to have high upside. I would expect to see this as more of a development year for Falealo 

Kaden Beatty DT (Kent State) 

Beatty joins the Cougs as a redshirt sophomore after spending the last two years at Kent State. Last year he had 21 tackles for Kent State and he looks to build off of that momentum this season. Early indications out of fall camp is that he has looked really good and has earned himself a role this year. I expect Beatty to be a big part of the DL this year. 

Soni Finau DT (Cal Poly)

Finau comes to WSU by way of Cal Poly. He joins the Cougs as a senior having spent the last three years at Cal Poly. Finau came to Pullman in the winter portal and he is a massive dude, he stands at 6-2, 340 pounds. I expect Finau to play a role in the DT rotation this season. 

Jaylin Caldwell OL (Grand Valley State)

Caldwell committed to WSU this spring after spending the last three years at division two school Grand Valley State. Caldwell and his 6-6, 325 pound frame was highly sought after in the transfer portal by schools like Kentucky and Missouri. Caldwell is currently competing for the starting LT spot. 

AJ Vaipulu OL (New Mexico State) 

Vaipulu joins the Cougs as a senior after spending the last three years at New Mexico State. Vaipulu has a lot of collegiate experience and was even named to the second team all conference USA last season. Vaipulu is currently competing to be the starting RG. 

Jesiah Cornwell TE (Mt. San Antonio College) 

Cornwell became a Coug after spending the last two years playing for two different JUCO schools. While Cornwell does not seem to be the TE that will see the most snaps this year there is a chance for him to carve out a role. The new offense will feature TEs more than in years past so there will be plenty of opportunities for Cornwell to earn snaps. 

Ademola Faleye TE (Michigan State) 

Faleye signed with the Cougs after spending the last two years at Michigan State. He comes to WSU as a redshirt senior. Faleye saw action in all 12 games for Michigan State last season and was one of the more hyped up additions this offseason. At 6 foot 7 he could be a lethal red zone target this year. The TE room is pretty deep this year but I expect Faleye to carve out a role for himself especially in the red zone. 

Darrion Dalton DT (San Diego State) 

Dalton is going into his redshirt senior season after spending the last four years at San Diego State. Dalton was a backup at San Diego State last year and I think he could fill a similar role for a new look WSU defense. He has a big projectable frame at 6-3, 280 pounds.  

Malaki Ta’ase DE (New Mexico State) 

Ta’ase comes to Pullman as a sophomore after a stellar Freshman campaign for New Mexico State. As a freshman Ta’ase had 33 total tackles and was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team. Ta’ase is a guy that the staff will look to continue to develop and I think we could see him in the DE rotation.