Pippins says Cougs..but is there room?

IT APPEARED, for a time, the madness of signing day just got a little bit sweeter for Mike Leach and Washington State fans. A three-star cornerback, and former Utah commit, says he has given his commitment to the Cougars and planned to join the team in the spring of 2014 as a grayshirt. But is there room?

After plenty of speculation over the last 24 hours, El Cerrito High product Marcellus Pippins says he's a Coug.

"Yes I committed to Washington State," Pippins said.

But Washington State has not yet put his name up on their list as someone they've signed. It could be a numbers issue. The NCAA has changed the rules to where only 25 can sign, no longer can a school sign 28 and grayshirt three.

So Pippins may well end up as a grayshirt at WSU in 2014, but it doesn't appear he's going to officially be signing with WSU today.

Pippins originally committed to Utah on Oct. 10, but reportedly had his offer pulled after taking an official visit to WSU on Jan. 18. The Utes still wanted his services, however, and according to Scout.com's Greg Biggins, Utah offered the three-star talent a grayshirt opportunity similar to the Cougs.

Pippins told CF.C yesterday that he was down to WSU, Utah and Nevada heading into today's decision, but that he was indeed leaning toward Washington State. At one point during his recruitment, Pippins held offers from UCLA, San Diego State, UNLV and several others in addition to WSU, Nevada and Utah.

The California native becomes the fifth defensive back of the 2013 class, joining CB Daquawn Brown, CB Markell Sanders, safety Darius Lemora and projected safety Isaac Dotson.