Washington State University Athletics
Get to Know Noah Dunham
April 17, 2026 | Football
Pullman, Wash. – Noah Dunham is entering his fourth year at Washington State as an offensive lineman. Dunham appeared in nine games, two as a starter, and did not allow a sack in starts against Toledo and at Oregon State.
We recently had the chance to sit down with redshirt junior Noah Dunham.
What is the difference between moving from Yuba City to Pullman?
Both are small towns, but Pullman is just a little bit smaller. I'd say the community out here is all football and in Yuba City it's not like that. Of course, everyone came to support, but it isn't like how it is here in Pullman and that's the biggest difference.
Do you have any family members who played college or professional sports?
My mom used to be a professional dancer for the Sacramento Kings, I credit my athletic ability to her, sorry Dad. My brother, older sister, and younger sister all played sports in high school but no one played college sports.
How did your mom impact you playing sports?
Growing up she would play catch with me, especially when I started playing baseball really young. Both my parents helped with my training, taking me to all the camps I had to go to and supporting me wherever I needed.
How have your parents impacted you off the field?
Mainly my morals, teaching me how to live my life out. They taught me to treat people with respect, my mom used to say 'treat others how you want to be treated' and I live by that.
Do you have any siblings?
I have a younger sister, her name's Kira and she just turned 19 which is crazy to say. My older brother Liam who just turned 23 the other day, and my older sister who's 25.
How have your siblings impacted you?
I'd say the biggest impact from them is their support. I know they have my back and I'm in contact with all of them all the time. I'm always talking to them, it's nice to have that and be able to tell them what's going on. My older sister lives in New York so I don't see her often, but my younger sister and brother both live back home so I get to see them pretty often. I'm always on the phone with them, just check in on them and they'll check in on me. It's really nice to have that support.
What are you most proud of in your life outside of football?
Honestly, pursing my degree in college in criminal justice, because it wasn't something that I thought about when I was in high school. When I first got here, I was focused on football and didn't necessarily care about school, but now I see the importance of it and how much it can have an impact on my future. So I'd say I'm pretty proud of that, and the work it takes, it's definitely not easy.
Why did you choose the stay after the coaching change?
The biggest thing was my teammates, just the guys that I've been here with since I first got here. They were going to stay, and I knew I couldn't leave. This is home, I'm rooted here.
What is your favorite memory of playing football?
I'd say my first time getting on the field. We break the huddle and Trey Leckner was our tight end. We're on the ball in the middle of the game and he's yelling at me, 'Noah, make sure you go the right way, make sure you go the right way'. This is in the middle of my first game (win over Portland State 2024), I'm already freaking out. And now looking back on it that's pretty memorable.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
What my mom said, just treating people the way you want to be treated. I feel like that goes a long way, if you respect people they'll respect you back, it's two-sided. Just be a good person on and off the field and you'll find your way.
Who is a football player you look up to?
I have two uncles, Greg and Maury who played in college and I really look up to them, they were the big guys when I was younger. Sometimes you don't want to be a lineman when you're younger but they always told me that's where the money's at. It's selfless but fun, you have to put in the work. Seeing them, their work ethic, and where they are now, I can see myself becoming that type of man.
How did your uncles help with the football process?
In high school, there wasn't really any support especially around recruiting. I'd say the biggest guy that helped me was Michio Takahashi, he took me under his wing, he trained me, told me what I needed to do. There's a lot more that goes into it than a coach calling you and offering you a sport. You have to have an ID number, and he showed me the steps I needed to go through. In high school there wasn't anyone like that, no one was going to college out of high school and he really helped me with that process.
What is your favorite thing to do in Pullman?
When we're not doing outdoor stuff, it's eat. I love to eat, especially with my friends. We like to barbeque, have all the guys over. Whatever we're doing, just hanging out honestly.
What are your goals for this football season?
Right now I just want to get better every day. We're a long way out from the season but getting better every day, even if it's just one percent is a success.
We recently had the chance to sit down with redshirt junior Noah Dunham.
What is the difference between moving from Yuba City to Pullman?
Both are small towns, but Pullman is just a little bit smaller. I'd say the community out here is all football and in Yuba City it's not like that. Of course, everyone came to support, but it isn't like how it is here in Pullman and that's the biggest difference.
Do you have any family members who played college or professional sports?
My mom used to be a professional dancer for the Sacramento Kings, I credit my athletic ability to her, sorry Dad. My brother, older sister, and younger sister all played sports in high school but no one played college sports.
How did your mom impact you playing sports?
Growing up she would play catch with me, especially when I started playing baseball really young. Both my parents helped with my training, taking me to all the camps I had to go to and supporting me wherever I needed.
How have your parents impacted you off the field?
Mainly my morals, teaching me how to live my life out. They taught me to treat people with respect, my mom used to say 'treat others how you want to be treated' and I live by that.
Do you have any siblings?
I have a younger sister, her name's Kira and she just turned 19 which is crazy to say. My older brother Liam who just turned 23 the other day, and my older sister who's 25.
How have your siblings impacted you?
I'd say the biggest impact from them is their support. I know they have my back and I'm in contact with all of them all the time. I'm always talking to them, it's nice to have that and be able to tell them what's going on. My older sister lives in New York so I don't see her often, but my younger sister and brother both live back home so I get to see them pretty often. I'm always on the phone with them, just check in on them and they'll check in on me. It's really nice to have that support.
What are you most proud of in your life outside of football?
Honestly, pursing my degree in college in criminal justice, because it wasn't something that I thought about when I was in high school. When I first got here, I was focused on football and didn't necessarily care about school, but now I see the importance of it and how much it can have an impact on my future. So I'd say I'm pretty proud of that, and the work it takes, it's definitely not easy.
Why did you choose the stay after the coaching change?
The biggest thing was my teammates, just the guys that I've been here with since I first got here. They were going to stay, and I knew I couldn't leave. This is home, I'm rooted here.
What is your favorite memory of playing football?
I'd say my first time getting on the field. We break the huddle and Trey Leckner was our tight end. We're on the ball in the middle of the game and he's yelling at me, 'Noah, make sure you go the right way, make sure you go the right way'. This is in the middle of my first game (win over Portland State 2024), I'm already freaking out. And now looking back on it that's pretty memorable.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given?
What my mom said, just treating people the way you want to be treated. I feel like that goes a long way, if you respect people they'll respect you back, it's two-sided. Just be a good person on and off the field and you'll find your way.
Who is a football player you look up to?
I have two uncles, Greg and Maury who played in college and I really look up to them, they were the big guys when I was younger. Sometimes you don't want to be a lineman when you're younger but they always told me that's where the money's at. It's selfless but fun, you have to put in the work. Seeing them, their work ethic, and where they are now, I can see myself becoming that type of man.
How did your uncles help with the football process?
In high school, there wasn't really any support especially around recruiting. I'd say the biggest guy that helped me was Michio Takahashi, he took me under his wing, he trained me, told me what I needed to do. There's a lot more that goes into it than a coach calling you and offering you a sport. You have to have an ID number, and he showed me the steps I needed to go through. In high school there wasn't anyone like that, no one was going to college out of high school and he really helped me with that process.
What is your favorite thing to do in Pullman?
When we're not doing outdoor stuff, it's eat. I love to eat, especially with my friends. We like to barbeque, have all the guys over. Whatever we're doing, just hanging out honestly.
What are your goals for this football season?
Right now I just want to get better every day. We're a long way out from the season but getting better every day, even if it's just one percent is a success.
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