Adding Gage Gubrud is a smart move for WSU’s young QB class
Feb 12, 2019, 10:28 AM | Updated: 10:31 am

QB Gage Gubrud will play for WSU as a graduate transfer in 2019. (AP)
(AP)
Can the Washington State Cougars strike gold again with another graduate transfer at quarterback? 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jessamyn McIntyre and Dave Wyman think the signing is good news for the Cougs.
Former Eastern Washington quarterback Gage Gubrud, who recently won his appeal for a medical redshirt, will play out his final year of eligibility at Washington State as a graduate transfer. WSU officially welcomed Gabrud to the football program Saturday.
And the final piece of the Class of 2019 is in! Welcome to the WSU Cougar Family, @Gagegubs! #GoCougs #JoinTheHunt
— WSU Cougar Football (@WSUCougFB) February 9, 2019
The Cougars found success last year with graduate transfer quarterback Gardner Minshew, who led Washington State to its first ever 11-win season. Can the Cougs find the same success with Gubrud?
“I think it’s a great move considering the young class that’s sitting there right now,” said McIntyre, who also serves as WSU football’s sideline reporter.
“I had the opportunity to meet (freshman quarterback) Gunner Cruz — we interviewed him on our signing day show — and he’s a freshman and one of the most impressive freshman I’ve ever seen come through, in means of his build, his maturity, his attitude and his skill. He’s 6-feet-4 and doesn’t need to fill out at all. Some of the guys that come in at the age of 18, you’ve got to put them in the gym for a year, or you’ve got to put them on a nutrition plan. And this kid looks game-ready already. I’m not taking anything away from Anthony Gordon, Trey Tinsley and Cammon Cooper, who are already there and competing for that position. But if they can compete at the lower level, and then you still get those games that they can play in without losing their redshirt, then I think it’s good not just for this year, but it’s also good for the future.”
Wyman echoed McIntyre’s sentiment, and added that many quarterbacks have flourished in WSU head coach Mike Leach’s air raid offense.
“(Gubrud) doesn’t have great, eye-popping numbers coming in, but you know who else didn’t? Gardner Minshew,” Wyman said. “He was a 50 percent passer at East Carolina. I think coming into Leach’s system, there’s a chance that (he could improve). Mike Leach is pretty good at developing quarterbacks.”
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