Tyree Toomer's Diary: Week 1

PULLMAN -- Hi Cougfans! After the first week of summer workouts, the Cougar football team looks good. Each player this summer came back ready to get to work and to build off of the spring. I like what I've seen both in our on-field drills as well as in the weight room -- it's been intense and enthusiastic.

Our workouts have been great, with everyone focused on getting bigger and stronger. That attitude has also carried into our on-field workouts.

We go up to the field a few times a week to work on positions drills. We're looking forward in the near future to going up against the offense -- I'm especially looking forward to it as a defensive back. I think our receivers are as good as any in the conference, and they will make us better the more we go against them.

A few players who have already stood out on the defensive side of the ball include linebacker Alex Hoffman-Ellis, safety Jay Matthews and linebacker Darren Markle.

Alex has always been fast but he shed a few pounds which has helped him even faster. He is a very good leader for us on the defensive side of the ball.

Matthews continues to work hard and he's continuing to do the extra things necessary to make sure he will be ready for the season physically. Coming off last season, where he didn’t get to play because of shoulder surgery, I think he is going to be a huge lift for the secondary.

Markle continues to impress in the weight room -- he could lift the world if you put it on a bar.

Please post any questions you have on the defense on the CF.C message boards and I’ll do my best to keep you up-to-date about the Cougars this summer. Thanks for all your support -- it is going to pay off.

Go Cougs!
Tyree Toomer

Cougar safety Tyree Toomer was the third leading tackler for the Cougs in 2010, with 62 tackles (48 solo). He came to WSU from St. John Bosco in Bellflower, Calif., where he was a football and track standout. He played in all 13 of WSU's games as a true freshman, including four starts. Injuries took away his second season but upon his return in 2010, he started every game at free safety.