Washington State University Athletics
Get to Know Kaden Beatty
April 02, 2026 | Football
Pullman, Wash. – Kaden Beatty is entering his second year as a defensive tackle for Washington State. Beatty appeared in seven games last season, recording seven tackles, shared a sack, and batted down one pass.
We recently had the chance to sit down with red-shirt junior Kaden Beatty.
Why did you choose WSU?
I chose WSU because of the pedigree here, they put a lot of guys in the NFL, and it's always been known as an extremely good football program. Also playing in the Pac-12, that's the main reason I picked it. I'm so far from home and it's like my own little world out here. I love Pullman, it's a college town and that's my vibe.
Why did you choose to stay with the coaching staff change?
At first, I didn't know what I was going to do, it was either go with the former coaching staff or hit the portal. They told me they wanted me, they wanted our team to be successful because of me and with me. So that's when I decided I was going to stay, to show that I'm dominant here, that I love Pullman, and that I really want to play for these fans and students.
Do you have any family members who play college or professional sports?
Yeah, my oldest brother Mike played at Temple University in Philadelphia. He played middle linebacker there. He's 13 years older and I remember, I was a little kid going to his games, and that's where my dream of becoming a football player started.
How has he helped you on your football journey?
He's always been strict on me; he's my oldest brother. He would get really annoyed when I would call him 'dad', because he would always try to get on me about certain stuff. So, I'd kind of bite back at him and say, 'thanks dad'. And that would really get to him, but he was kind of a second dad in a way. He was a leader to me and showed me how to be a better person, man, and player on the field.
How have your three older brothers shaped your football career?
They all played football, but my oldest brother was the only one who played in college. I was the youngest and the smallest, so I had to fight hard. I was always super competitive, I remember being six years old trying to shoot a basketball. They'd always block my shot across the driveway, and I'm crying, whining, and I think that built me to keep persevering. And show that no matter how big or tall you are, you can be beat, and I'm going to beat you.
What do you like to do in your free time outside of football?
I love to make Tiktok and Instagram videos, and I love to fish. Those are two pretty lowkey things and to me, that's kind of what Pullman's all about.
Do you have any favorite fishing sports?
I usually go to the Snake River and there's a few spots in Idaho that we'll go to.
Who do you prefer solo or group fishing?
I've gone solo a few times, but it's way better to have your homies with you. You might get a little lonely out there, and if I'm not catching anything he's catching something. It kind of feels rewarding even if only one of us is catching anything, it's just more lines in the water.
What are your goals outside of football?
I hope to be either a sports agent or a coach one day. I know that's still around football but that'd be ideal.
What is your go to pregame meal?
White rice and two chicken breasts, with a bunch of water and Gatorade.
Do you have any pre or in game rituals that you do?
I always pray right when we run out of the tunnel, I go to the endzone and take a knee. I just have a moment with me and God, it's something I always need to do. I pray for the protection of our players, myself, the other team, and that God gives me the strength and will to dominate that day.
What are your goals for this football season?
We need to win the Pac-12 Championship. Theres no ifs, ands or buts about it. We need to win because this is the new Pac-12, there's new teams coming in and we need to show that Washington State is still superior in the Pac-12.
We recently had the chance to sit down with red-shirt junior Kaden Beatty.
Why did you choose WSU?
I chose WSU because of the pedigree here, they put a lot of guys in the NFL, and it's always been known as an extremely good football program. Also playing in the Pac-12, that's the main reason I picked it. I'm so far from home and it's like my own little world out here. I love Pullman, it's a college town and that's my vibe.
Why did you choose to stay with the coaching staff change?
At first, I didn't know what I was going to do, it was either go with the former coaching staff or hit the portal. They told me they wanted me, they wanted our team to be successful because of me and with me. So that's when I decided I was going to stay, to show that I'm dominant here, that I love Pullman, and that I really want to play for these fans and students.
Do you have any family members who play college or professional sports?
Yeah, my oldest brother Mike played at Temple University in Philadelphia. He played middle linebacker there. He's 13 years older and I remember, I was a little kid going to his games, and that's where my dream of becoming a football player started.
How has he helped you on your football journey?
He's always been strict on me; he's my oldest brother. He would get really annoyed when I would call him 'dad', because he would always try to get on me about certain stuff. So, I'd kind of bite back at him and say, 'thanks dad'. And that would really get to him, but he was kind of a second dad in a way. He was a leader to me and showed me how to be a better person, man, and player on the field.
How have your three older brothers shaped your football career?
They all played football, but my oldest brother was the only one who played in college. I was the youngest and the smallest, so I had to fight hard. I was always super competitive, I remember being six years old trying to shoot a basketball. They'd always block my shot across the driveway, and I'm crying, whining, and I think that built me to keep persevering. And show that no matter how big or tall you are, you can be beat, and I'm going to beat you.
What do you like to do in your free time outside of football?
I love to make Tiktok and Instagram videos, and I love to fish. Those are two pretty lowkey things and to me, that's kind of what Pullman's all about.
Do you have any favorite fishing sports?
I usually go to the Snake River and there's a few spots in Idaho that we'll go to.
Who do you prefer solo or group fishing?
I've gone solo a few times, but it's way better to have your homies with you. You might get a little lonely out there, and if I'm not catching anything he's catching something. It kind of feels rewarding even if only one of us is catching anything, it's just more lines in the water.
What are your goals outside of football?
I hope to be either a sports agent or a coach one day. I know that's still around football but that'd be ideal.
What is your go to pregame meal?
White rice and two chicken breasts, with a bunch of water and Gatorade.
Do you have any pre or in game rituals that you do?
I always pray right when we run out of the tunnel, I go to the endzone and take a knee. I just have a moment with me and God, it's something I always need to do. I pray for the protection of our players, myself, the other team, and that God gives me the strength and will to dominate that day.
What are your goals for this football season?
We need to win the Pac-12 Championship. Theres no ifs, ands or buts about it. We need to win because this is the new Pac-12, there's new teams coming in and we need to show that Washington State is still superior in the Pac-12.
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