4 Transfers That Could Have a Big Impact for WSU Football in 2024

Jared Miller | Jun 18, 2024

Nov 17, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Jake Dickert leads the school fight song after a game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Washington State won 56-14. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports / James Snook-USA TODAY Sports

Washington State's football program added a handful of transfers during the offseason with the hopes that several can make waves right away. The Cougars needed help in facets of both their defensive and offensive games and addressed some big areas of concern heading into the 2024 season. Keep an eye on these four newcomers as they don the red and white for the first time this fall.

Kris Hutson, WR (Oregon)

Arguably the transfer with the most potential to have an immediate impact for the Cougars this year came from just a state down. Receiver Kris Hutson joins from Oregon and, despite only showing up in five games for the Ducks, is projected to be near the top of WSU’s receiving corps depth by Week 1.

Hutson was a notable contributor in Eugene in 2021 and 2022, piling up over 400 receiving yards in each of those two seasons. Last year his role was diminished but living in the shadow of future NFLers like Troy Franklin and Tez Johnson was a big reason why. Hutson is fast, elusive and adjusts to throws well in traffic. Where he went unnoticed much of the time at Oregon, though, he will likely shine bright for a Washington State team that lost its two top pass-catchers from last year. He and Kyle Williams could make quite the tandem on the outside and he may also prove to be an asset on special teams as he has significant experience in that department.

Syrus Webster, EDGE (Utah Tech) 

At times last year, WSU had trouble getting off the edge and disrupting the quarterback. The Cougs posted just 24 sacks all of last year, the third lowest mark in the Pac-12. The team, however, appears as though it's addressing that issue.

Former Utah Tech EDGE Syrus Webster comes in on the heels of a tremendous season for the FCS’ Trailblazers. He led his team with 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2023 and now brings that production to Pullman. It is expected that Webster will play a major role in helping replace Brennan Jackson up front and could be a Day 1 starter. He’ll bring strength and speed to a defensible front that will be in desperate need of it after losing a talent like Jackson.

Keith Brown, LB (Louisville)

It wasn’t just the addition of Webster, however, that provided a shot in the arm to the Cougs’ defense. Former Louisville and Oregon linebacker Keith Brown came aboard this offseason as well and that, too, may have immediate effects.

Brown did not see a ton of field time with the Cardinals, appearing in just five games last fall, but did play 204 defensive snaps for Oregon the season before. He will provide much-needed depth and experience to a young linebacking corps that lost both Devin Richardson and Joshua Erling. Kyle Thornton will still run the show over the middle but having a 6-1, 235-pound reinforcement will be a welcomed addition. Brown should see a lot more action than he did in 2023 and could become a solid mainstay on defense. 

Tre Shackleford, WR (Austin Peay)

As far as complimentary pieces go, Washington State snagged a great one with Austin Peay transfer Tre Shackleford. The redshirt junior wideout was the guy for the Governors last fall, racking up 799 yards on 52 catches and scoring six touchdowns.

Shackleford is a great long-ball threat with his speed and quickness and may very well serve as a nifty X-factor on this year’s scheme for offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. He had several receptions last year of at least 40 yards and averaged over 14 per catch. Shackleford likely won’t be looked to as often as he was while at Austin Peay but he’ll be a target that could slip under the radar at times, giving himself some big opportunities in the passing game.