Washington State Cougars
2000 overall record: 4-7
Conference record: 2-6 (t-8th)
Returning starters
Offense: 9
Defense: 10
Kickers: 2
2000 statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: Dave Minnich* (754 yds)
Passing: Jason Gesser* (1,967 yds)
Receiving: Milton Wynn (964 yds)
Tackles: Billy Newman* (100)
Sacks: Melvin Simmons* (4)
Interceptions: Newman* (4)
What's new
There is a new Price on the Cougar coaching staff. Eric Price, an assistant the last three seasons, took a job with the New York Jets in the offseason, while Aaron Price, who once kicked at WSU, joins his father's staff as the quarterbacks and kickers coach.
Battling it out
The right cornerback position is the only one vacated on the WSU defense, and it appears to be a two-man race this fall. Erik Coleman, who was a backup safety last year as a true freshman, has recently gotten some attention at the spot and played well. Redshirt freshman Jason David, however, was named an MVP of the spring game by Price and takes a lot of momentum into the summer.
Eye catcher: K Adam Holiday
The junior college transfer enrolled in January and walked on as a kickoff specialist -- a position that the Cougars sorely lacked production from a year ago. He was extremely impressive, consistently booting balls into the endzone. Holiday is not expected to kick field goals, although he could probably take a shot from long range if the situation required it.
Budding star: CB Marcus Trufant
Trufant started some of his freshman year and all of last year and has developed into a solid cover corner. He excels in man-to-man assignments and broke up 16 passes last season, in addition to his three interceptions and 53 tackles. He has a chance to be one of the best in the conference at his position after earning honorable mention recognition in 2000.
Brad Edwards researches college football for ESPN and is a contributor to ESPN.com throughout the year.
