Future Cougs are pre-season All-State picks

THREE FUTURE COUGARS have been named pre-season All-State by the Seattle Times. Bellevue receiver Keith Rosenberg, Spokane running back Skylar Jessen and Spokane linebacker Andy Mattingly --- prep seniors who have verbally committed play college ball at Washington State --- were tabbed by the Times on Thursday. In addition, at least two others who are on the Cougars' recruiting radar were named.

Rosenberg (6-0, 185) is an uber-athlete. He was a first-team AP All-State defensive back in 2004 for Bellevue High's undefeated Wolverines, but picked by the Times this week as running back due to his 1,227 rushing yards and 15 TDs last season. He projects as a receiver in college. On defense he totaled 40 tackles and 3 INTs a year ago.

Mattingly (6-3, 217), a Scout.com four-star talent pegged the No. 11 safety prospect in the nation, is big hitter who could play safety, outside linebacker or tight end in college.

As a junior at Mead High he posted 90 tackles (66 solo) and had two INTs. On offense he caught 30 balls for 401 yards and 4 TDs. He also rushed four time for spectacular 116 yards and 3TDs.

Mattingly's Mead teammate, Skylar Jessen (5-11, 200), needs 1,146 yards to break the Greater Spokane League career rushing record. Swiftt and agile, he has run the 100 meters in 10.64 seconds. He was the GSL offensive MVP as a sophomore after rushing for 1,965 yards. A high ankle sprain contained him to 960 yards in 2004.

At least two other members of the Times' pre-season All-State team --- offensive linemen Cody Habben and Grady Maxwell --- have offers from WSU and put the Cougars in their top five. Habban (6-5, 280) from Skyline High in Sammamish, loks to have narrowed his list to WSU, Colorado, Oregon State, Utah and Nebraska. Maxwell (6-2, 320) is big but quick and considered one of the finest linemen to come out of Tacoma's Curtis High in decades.

RECRUITING NOTES:
Over the weekend, Gig Harbor (Peninsula High) offensive lineman Micah Hannam became the fifth prep senior-to-be to verbally commit to the Cougars. He's 6-5, 280 pounds. He and Maxwell were the co-MVPs of the offensive linemen at WSU's summer camp in June.

The other member of the Cougars' 2006 recruiting class is running back Marcus Richmond (6-1, 195) of Mesa, Ariz.