Washington quarterback Jacob Eason (10) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Nov. 23 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado won 20-14. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Washington quarterback Jacob Eason (10) in the second half of an NCAA college football game on Nov. 23 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado won 20-14. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Cougs’ defense wary of Eason despite QB’s recent struggles

Washington State is still cautious of the imposing traits the Lake Stevens grad brings to the table.

By Theo Lawson / The Spokesman-Review

PULLMAN — Like every other college program that passed through Lake Stevens High School between 2013 and 2015 for a glimpse of Jacob Eason, Washington State marveled at the quarterback whose huge frame was just as impressive as his right arm.

WSU entered the Eason sweepstakes, along with more than a dozen other Power Five programs. The Cougars sent current running backs coach and then-recruiting coordinator Eric Mele across the mountains to put a set of eyes on the 6-foot-6, 227-pound quarterback, who threw for more than 9,800 yards and 102 touchdowns in three seasons as a starter in Wesco 4A.

WSU head coach Mike Leach is pretty sure it was Mele who made the trip, but this was a half-decade ago and his memory is hazy.

“I think Mele did,” Leach said, “I can’t remember for sure.”

At the end of the day, WSU was just another name on a long list, and the country’s second-ranked pro-style passer signed with the University of Georgia. Even if it was discouraging for the six Pac-12 schools that had offered Eason, they figured they wouldn’t have to face him, outside of a bowl game or the College Football Playoff.

But that was short-lived. Eason was beaten out by Jake Fromm at Georgia and subsequently returned to the Pacific Northwest to play at Washington, where he’d have a solid chance to replace Jake Browning once the fourth-year starter left.

Eason beat out Jake Haener, who’s since transferred, and now the Cougars find themselves preparing for the ex-Lake Stevens star anyway.

It’ll be the first Apple Cup for Eason, and also for WSU’s Anthony Gordon, when the Cougars (6-5, 3-5 conference) and Huskies (6-5, 3-5) kick off at 1 p.m. Friday. Not since 2015, when WSU’s Peyton Bender and UW’s Browning went head-to-head, has the rivalry game featured quarterbacks making their first Apple Cup start.

“Big kid, big arm, moves reasonably well, but he’s a pocket passer,” Leach said of Eason. “Talented guy, transferred in and beat out the backup. So, good quarterback.”

Some UW fans and NFL scouts used the term “great” before the season began, but Eason’s big arm and unique frame have been overshadowed at times by his lack of precision and iffy decision-making. Eason’s best game was his first game, when he completed 27 of 36 passes for 349 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions in a rout of Eastern Washington, but he followed with 18 of 30 with 162 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception in a loss to Cal.

Eason enters his first Apple Cup having thrown four touchdowns and four interceptions in his past two games — a 19-7 win over Oregon State and a 20-14 loss to Colorado. The redshirt junior completed 37 of 66 passes in those games and totaled just 381 yards.

Adding to the pressure, Eason has been hassled repeatedly about his impending future — whether he’ll remain at Washington for his senior season or skip off to the NFL, where he may be selected high in the draft based purely on his measurables.

“The Twitter, the Instagram, the radio, all that stuff. I know it’s out there. I don’t pay attention to it,” Eason said to the Associated Press. “I’ve got people asking me questions all the time. What do you think about this? I still don’t want to respond to all those questions because there’s so many of them.”

Even after watching Eason stumble through his past two games during their midweek film sessions, the Cougars haven’t been fooled. If there’s any remedy for Eason’s problems, the mere sight of WSU’s defense might be it.

Houston’s D’Eriq King and Stanford’s Davis Mills each accounted for three touchdowns against the Cougars; Cal’s Devon Modster, Utah’s Tyler Huntley and Arizona State’s Jayden Daniels each had four; Oregon State’s Jake Luton had five and UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson had seven.

“He has a strong arm, extremely strong arm,” WSU linebacker Jahad Woods said. “He’s a big quarterback, he knows how to move, he knows how to move in the pocket. He knows how to be a poised quarterback and he reads his keys really well, and I think something we have to do is pressure him.”

In many ways, Eason reminds the Cougars of two other Pac-12 quarterbacks from the region.

Oregon State’s Jake Luton is commanding at 6-7, 229 pounds and Oregon’s Justin Herbert is 6-6, 239 pounds. Like Eason, Luton and Herbert have extraordinary arm strength, as well as excellent height that allows them to see over their offensive line without being obscured.

Herbert let his running backs take care of the work in Oregon’s 37-35 win over WSU earlier this season, completing 21 of 30 passes with no touchdowns or interceptions. Luton was 22 of 40 for 408 yards, five touchdowns and one interception in the Cougars’ 54-53 win over the Beavers last Saturday.

“All three guys are monsters, big guys that can really throw the football and very accurate with the ball, and (Eason) has a lot of good weapons,” WSU interim defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said. “A big offensive line, a big physical, athletic offensive line who can run the ball. And I’m sure that’s what they’re going to try to do to us, so we’ve got our hands full with another great opponent.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Stanwood sophomore Addi Anderson in The Herald's 2025 All-Area Softball Pitcher of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Softball Pitcher of the Year: Addi Anderson

The Stanwood sophomore had a 1.32 ERA to lead the Spartans to a district championship.

Michael Arroyo hit a 2-run home run for the Everett AquaSox in an 11-4 loss to the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field on Thursday, June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox pitching goes cold in loss to Dust Devils

Although they held a first-inning lead, the Everett AquaSox fell… Continue reading

Jackson senior and UW commit Allie Thomsen is The Herald's 2025 All-Area Softball Hitter of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Softball Hitter of the Year: Allie Thomsen

The Jackson senior had a .544 batting average and 1.600 OPS while striking out just once.

Seahawks defense end Leonard Williams (99) participates in a workout at minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks bond over stories of their paths to football glory

Leonard Williams’ path to the NFL included stints of homelessness.

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against the Florida Panthers during Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (David Santiago / Tribune News Services)
Panthers blow lead, Oilers even Stanley Cup Final series

The game probably shouldn’t have gotten to this point.… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway senior Alex Plumis is The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, June 5, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2025 Boys Soccer Offensive Player of the Year: Alex Plumis

The Edmonds-Woodway senior scored 23 goals and dished nine assists.

Stanwood’s Rubi Lopez cheers after getting a base hit during the 3A District 1 championship game against Sedro-Woolley on Thursday, May 15, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Wesco all-league softball teams announced

Wesco has announced its all-league teams for boys soccer. WESCO 4A First… Continue reading

Taylor Dollard of the Everett AquaSox throws a pitch in a 5-2 victory over the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field on Wednesday, June 12, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Strong pitching anchors AquaSox, sinks Tri-City

Everett AquaSox pitching held Tri-City Dust Devils to just two… Continue reading

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) hands off to running back Zach Charbonnet (26) during minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper, Seattle Seahawks)
Dave Boling: Sam Darnold’s first priority is the run game

For those Seattle Seahawks fans curious about the early… Continue reading

Pacers rely on unlikely heroes, take 2-1 NBA Finals lead

Indiana Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle sounds like a nature lover… Continue reading

Danny O’Neil: If you’re a Sonics fan, cackle along with me

I did not shout in excitement when Indiana’s Obi Toppin dunked home… Continue reading

Nneka Ogwumike releases a shot against the Minnesota Lynx at Climate Pledge Arena on June 11, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm stop Lynx’s perfect season

The Minnesota Lynx’s perfect start to the season has ended. Pounding the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.