The Top 5 Defensive Players WSU Football Faces in 2024

Who is going to give the Cougars offense the most headaches this fall?

Sep 3, 2022; Tuscaloosa, A, USA; Utah State Aggies defensive back Ike Larsen (19) intercepts a pass intended for Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Christian Leary (12) at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 55-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports / Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

When the Cougars kick off 2024, the road is going to be anything but easy. The challenges, of course, will come from all sides but this year it seems like Washington State has been given the tough task of facing some particularly stellar defenders in their 12-game schedule. These five guys could really give WSU some headaches when all is said and done. 

5. Dean Clark, DB - Fresno State

Fresno State had a scary secondary in 2023 and one of the main pieces of it is back again this year. DB Dean Clark will still be on the back end and , in Week 7, he'll go up against Washington State. Clark was second on the team in tackles (83) last year and logged three interceptions along with four PBUs to boot. He has the speed and agility to stick to his coverage assignments with the best of them and has a knack for knowing where the ball is going before everyone else. Clark is going to be a difficult matchup for WSU's receiving corps and could very well spell troubles in the passing game.

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4. Shae Suiaunoa, LB - Wyoming 

The regular season finale will square WSU up with Wyoming’s stout defense and, specifically, linebacker Shae Suiaunoa. Now a graduate, Suiaunoa is expected to be the leader over the middle for the Cowboys after a season in which he did a little bit of everything. Last fall he finished second on the team with 93 tackles, got in on 5.5 TFLs along with 2.5 sacks and even picked off a pass. Suiaunoa will be all over the field and will be a true threat in both the passing and rushing attack alike and, if the offense isn’t careful, he may just end up being the difference in the game. 

3. Ike Larsen, S - Utah State

The most dangerous secondary player the Cougars will see this fall will surely be Utah State’s Ike Larsen. As a sophomore in 2023, Larsen was a game-wrecker for the Aggies, posting a team-best four interceptions and logging 103 tackles. He also knocked down six more passes and forced a fumble from his safety position. Passing the ball is going to be a risky affair in this game all because of the ball-hawking junior. Larsen, though, won’t just be a threat on defense but he’ll also be one to watch on special teams as he blocked two kicks last year. Whenever he’s on the field and the ball is in the air, things could get dicey. 

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2. Ahmed Hassanein, DE - Boise State 

WSU’s bout with Boise State in Week 5 will put their offensive line to its biggest test of the season because lining up against them will be senior pass rusher Ahmed Hassanein. A native of Cairo, Egypt, Hassanein has been sensational off the edge for the Broncos, especially last year when he authored 12.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss. Those marks were both good for top five in the Mountain West. Hassanein has a nice blend of power and speed off the end making him a difficult blocking assignment. Take into account the fact that the Cougs’ gave up 37 sacks in 2023 and suddenly it feels like it could be a really long day up front against #91 in blue. 

1. Ben Roberts, LB - Texas Tech 

When Texas Tech rolls into town in early September, they’ll bring with them arguably the best linebacker the Cougars will have to contend with all year. Ben Roberts led the Red Raiders in tackles (107) and tackles for loss (6.5) last fall as a freshman. To say he has a nose for the ball is an understatement. Roberts seems to be in on most every play and doesn’t really need help bringing people down as he recorded 55 solo stops last season. Roberts is everything a linebacker should be; fast, physical and acutely aware of where he needs to be. He’s a one-man wrecking crew that has the potential to wreak havoc on Washington State’s offense if they aren’t ready.