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College football rankings: Post-spring Top 25 – Clemson, Alabama vie for top spot

By Cody Williams

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Gage Gubrud, Washington State, Mike Leach
LUBBOCK, TX – SEPTEMBER 02: Eastern Washington quarterback Gage Gubrud (8) drops back to pass during the Texas Tech Raider’s 56-10 victory over the Eastern Washington Eagles on September 2, 2017 at Jones AT&T Stadium in Lubbock, TX. (Photo by Sam Grenadier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
  • Notable Losses: Gardner Minshew, James Williams Darrien Molton, Peyton Pelluer, Andre Dillard, Kyle Sweet, Hunter Dale, Logan Tago
  • Notable Returners: Tay Martin, Dezmon Patmon, Max Borgi, Easop Winston, Davontavean Martin, Skyler Thomas, Jahad Woods
  • 2019 Recruiting Class Ranking: 64th

Mike Leach, without question, has earned the respect as an offensive genius throughout his time in Pullman with the Washington State Cougars, if he hadn’t already. The always-a-character head coach struck gold in the 2018 season by landing East Carolina transfer Gardner Minshew, who had the team on the cusp of the Pac-12 Championship. Though they fell short, Minshew and Leach still won a record 11 games for the Cougars.

With Minshew gone, though, there were questions about what Washington State was set to do at quarterback. Those questions have since been answered, though, as Leach has seemingly found his next guy in Gage Gubrud. The transfer from Eastern Washington was prolific while in the FCS ranks and, with him now being inserted in Leach’s passing attack and offense, he should be able to come in and help the offense not to miss too much of a beat.

While this isn’t a strong recruiting class coming into Pullman, the defense still returns six starters and should look to build off a quietly strong 2018 season. On top of that, though, the Washington State offense does return the bulk of their starters from last season, including their top-three pass catchers from last season and running back Max Borghi. Simply put, this may not be a star-studded, headline-stealing group, but the Cougars will be in the mix atop the Pac-12 in the 2019 season.

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