Mike Leach and the magic at wide receiver

IF EVERYTHING (i.e. everybody) broke Washington State's way when letters of intent are signed Wednesday, the Cougars' already impressive list of wide receiver pick ups would be nothing short of spectacular. To illustrate the point, consider that 25 percent of the high school senior wideouts who earned inclusion Sunday in the Tacoma News Tribune's "Western 100" could be lining up for Mike Leach.

Twelve high school senior receivers residing in the 13 western states, plus western Canada, were picked to the Western 100. And three of them could be Cougs.

One, Gabriel Marks of Los Angeles, verbally committed to WSU two weeks ago. He's rated 4 stars by Scout.com and the No. 39 receiver prospect in the nation.

The other two are Kenny Lawler of Upland, Calif., and Cedric Dozier of Lakes High near Tacoma. Both are rated 4 stars by Scout.com. Lawler is the No. 42-ranked receiver in the land. Dozier is rated the No. 24 cornerback prospect in the country, but Leach, whose pass-first offense requires a bevy of wideouts, sees him lining up on offense.

Getting both of them would seem a tall order, as Dozier has been a Cal verbal (or lean) since the fall, and Lawler is also smitten by the Golden Bears as well as Oregon State.

The fact both are in the Cougar orbit three days before LOIs will be signed is a tribute to the power of Leach. Neither of them was considering WSU until the offensive mastermind from Lubbock hit the Palouse.

They aren't the only wideouts newly attracted to WSU. In addition to Marks, Leach also has secured verbal commitments from prep receivers Robert Lewis, Brett Bartolone and Alex Jackson. All are Californians with multiple offers who previously weren't considering WSU. Lewis and Jackson are rated 3 stars by Scout.com and Bartolone 2 stars.

A PERUSAL OF THE TACOMA NEW TRIBUNE'S entire Western 100 list reveals two other potential Cougs: linebacker Jeremiah Allison of Los Angeles and defensive back Raymond Ford of Gardena, Calif. Scout rates Allison the No. 40 OLB in the nation and Ford the No. 38 corner. Ford is also considering Cal, Utah and Nebraska. Allison is also considering UCLA and would take a late offer from Stanford if offered.

To see the complete list of Western 100 picks, CLICK HERE