Gesser's camp for preps has familiar names

SATURDAY IN BELLEVUE turned out to be old home week for the Cougar faithful at Jason Gesser’s Elite Quarterback and Skills Camp sponsored by Cougfan.com. Gesser’s camp staff included current and former WSU players. And among the 75 prepsters working out were two very promising young quarterbacks whose dads played for the Cougs under Jim Walden.

The two young crimson progeny were Tana Pritchard and Tre James. Tana’s dad David played on WSU’s 1981 Holiday Bowl. And James’ dad Michael was a standout receiver for the Cougs from 1983-86 before enjoying a couple of seasons in the NFL.

TRE JAMES

Both are Tacoma-area sophomores-to-be whose dads are assistant coaches at their respective high schools. Pritchard, whose brother Tavita is the quarterback at Stanford, hails from Clover Park High. The 5-11, 170-pound James is from Wilson High.

Pritchard, at 6-3 and 185 pounds, truly looks seasoned beyond his years. Gesser said he’s been working with the lad at summer camps for the last three years. He received one of two QB MVP awards at the conclusion of Saturday’s camp, which was held at Interlake High.

Among the coaches working at the camp were Paul Wulff's Dynamic Duo, Gary Rogers and Brandon Gibson; former Cougar and current Western Washington Viking Cole Morgan; and two guys who were frequent Gesser targets back in the day: former WSU wide receivers Milton Wynn and Collin Henderson.

GARY ROGERS AND BRANDON GIBSON ON SATURDAY.

Wynn, who was Gesser’s top wideout in 2001 with 52 catches for nearly 1,000 yards, made the trip up from his home in Houston where he teaches high school and manages a budding real estate enterprise. He spent three years in the NFL after leaving WSU.

A year ago, Wynn was an assistant coach at Texas A&M University-Commerce, a small college that plays in the same leagues as West Texas State – the school where Ryan Leaf serves as quarterbacks coach. Wynn said Leaf’s imprint on the offense is significant – the Buffs throw early and often. “I’ve never seen so much passing in my life,” Wynn said.

Henderson caught more than 40 passes in his WSU career but is perhaps best remembered for his remarkable work passing the ball on flea flickers; he completed 11 of 12 passes for 575 yards and 6 TDs. He works in pharmaceutical sales in Tacoma.

Morgan may be headed to Bellingham, but he is still very much a Cougar. With his eligibility clock ticking and both Rogers and junior Kevin Lopina in front of him on the depth chart, he felt he had to make the move – though it wasn’t an easy one given all his friends in Pullman, he said Saturday.

He stressed that he plans to have all his WWU credits transferred back to WSU so he graduates from Cougarville and, therefore, doesn’t hurt WSU’s graduation rate in the eyes of the NCAA. His head coach at WWU is former WSU standout lineman Robin Ross.

More photos from the camp are below and at the Gesser Camp Photo Gallery. And for another great story on the camp, click to Gesser Camp a smash hit..

JAMAAL KEARSE OF LAKES HIGH GOES THROUGH HIS PACES.

GESSER OFFERS INSTRUCTION.

GIBSON INSPECTS THE TROOPS.