Jadrian Clark: The 6-foot-3, 230-pound junior quarterback started the final five games of last season and helped lead the Wildcats to their only two wins of the season. In those five games, Clark threw for 902 yards and seven touchdowns while running for 179 yards and two more scores. Not only can he both throw and run the ball, but WSU head coach Jay Hill also likes Clark's mental and physical toughness.
Zach Smith: A 6-foot, 220-pound junior running back, Smith carried the ball 129 times for a team-leading 742 yards — a superb average of 5.8 yards per carry — and three touchdowns last season. He also had a couple of TD receptions in 2014 but has been battling some nagging injuries in fall camp.
Cameron Livingston: The 6-2, 195-pound junior wide receiver is a returning starter who had 57 receptions for 856 yards — an average of 15 yards per catch — and a touchdown last year. "I expect to him to be one of the top receivers in the conference if not the top receiver in the conference," Coach Hill said.
Joe Hawkins:This 6-1, 325-pound senior center started 11 games last season when he received All-Big Sky Conference honorable mention honors. His experience and leadership are of vital importance for a young WSU squad which has only a handful of senior starters.
Josh Burton: A 6-1, 190-pound junior free safety, Burton was also an All-Big Sky honorable mention selection last season, when he had 51 total tackles, including 38 solo stops, and intercepted three passes. He's a co-captain this year after starting all 12 games last season and recording a career-high 10 tackles against nationally-ranked Montana State.
Emmett Tela: This 6-1, 225-pound sophomore linebacker received votes as the league's defensive player of the year in 2014 as a true freshman, when he earned All-Big Sky honorable mention. He started the first eight games last season before being sidelined the rest of the way by an injury. In those eight games, Tela averaged 9.9 tackles a game, finishing the season with 79 total tackles and 46 solo stops, including 10 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
Tre'von Johnson: A 6-1, 235-pound junior linebacker out of Hunter High School, Johnson started 11 of 12 games last year and recorded 62 tackles, fourth-most on the team. He averaged more than 5 tackles per game and had 3.5 tackles for loss. He and Tela help give the Wildcats what Coach Hill calls the best linebacking group in the conference.
Devonte Johnson: This 6-1, 185-pound senior cornerback has not played for the past two years due to eligibility issues. But in 2012 as a freshman, he had 36 total tackles in 10 games, including 20 unassisted stops. Coach Hill says Johnson's been playing very well in camp this year and expects great things from him, calling Johnson one of the best corners in the conference.
EMAIL: rhollis@desnews.com