280-pounder from Detroit area recently landed his crimson tender
While Jake Dickert and Washington State stand at 16 known verbal commitments for the 2025 recruiting class, there’s a notable lack of size in the trenches that the staff is hoping to correct. Only one offensive lineman, Arion “A-Train” Williams, has pledged to the Cougs so far, but Dickert and his staff are working to change that by targeting key prospects across the country.
One of the latest targets is Liam Vaughan, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound standout guard from Walled Lake Western High School, located about 35 minutes outside both Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Vaughan, who is currently committed to Western Michigan, recently received a surprise offer from the Cougars on September 23.
“It was a shock with Wazzu being a West Coast team,” Vaughan said in an interview with Cougfan.com. “I’ve been in contact with Coach Dickert, Coach Justin Kramer, and Coach Jared Kaster. They started recruiting me in early September.”
The Cougars’ pursuit of Vaughan speaks to their intent to shore up the offensive line, a position group that could use an infusion of talent and depth. Vaughan is a versatile and physical lineman who has garnered attention for his power and tenacity in the trenches, skills that would fit well in the Pac-12.
Though currently committed to Western Michigan, Vaughan admitted that the offer from Washington State has given him something to think about. As he weighs his options, the Cougars are hoping to sway him from the Midwest and bring his talents to the Palouse.
With the early signing period still months away, there’s plenty of time for Dickert and his staff to make their case. Flipping Vaughan from his current commitment would provide a significant boost to the Cougs’ 2025 recruiting class, particularly in addressing the need for more size and strength up front.