SAN FRANCSICO (August 7, 2026) – Five Washington State Football student-athletes were named to the 2026 Pac-12 Conference Preseason Impact Watch List, the conference office announced Friday.
Wideout/punt returner Tony Freeman, defensive end Matyus McLain, safety Jaylen Thomas, offensive lineman Ashton Tripp and running back Kirby Vorhees were all named to the watch list.
Freeman, a senior from Richmond, Calif., was named the Pac-12 Conference Top Special Teams Performer last season after finishing the season sixth nationally with a 17.3 punt return average. Freeman’s 17.3 average was a WSU single-season record, his five returns for 40+ yards were third-most nationally and he recorded eight returns of 20+ yards. As a wideout, Freeman caught 54 passes for 590 yards and three touchdowns and he finished the season with 1,004 all-purpose yards.
McLain, a redshirt-junior from Priest River, Idaho, transferred to WSU after playing the previous three season at Idaho. Last season, McLain earned All-Big Sky Conference honorable mention after making 42 tackles with 13.5 for loss including 4.5 sacks.
Thomas, a redshirt-sophomore from Los Gatos, Calif., transferred from San Jose State this past January. Thomas redshirted the 2024 season for the Spartans before starting all 12 games last season, recording 59 tackles, six pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
Tripp, a redshirt-junior from Kennewick, Wash., started all 13 games at left tackle last season. Tripp played 887 snaps and allowed just one sack on 490 pass attempts and closed the season with a personal-best pass block grade in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win over Utah State.
Vorhees, a redshirt-junior from Lutz, Fla., appeared in 12 games last season. Vorhees rushed for team-high 576 yards along with five touchdowns, also caught 19 passes for 125 yards.
Washington State opens the season Sunday, September 6 at Washington.