Washington State Cougars
Washington State University (WSU) has made a significant addition to its future roster, securing a commitment from Steele Pizzella, a three-star quarterback hailing from the Los Angeles area. Pizzella, a standout prospect in the class of 2025, chose WSU over several prominent power-conference programs, including Georgia, Utah, and Texas A&M.
Pizzella visited WSU over the weekend, solidifying his decision to join the Cougars. Known for his impressive arm talent and athleticism, the 6-foot quarterback has been described by a 247 Sports scout as “one of the most athletic QBs out west.” During his junior season at Notre Dame High School, Pizzella completed 162 of 270 passes (60%) for 2,187 yards and 22 touchdowns, while also adding five rushing touchdowns.
In addition to his football prowess, Pizzella is a standout track athlete. He recorded a personal-best time of 10.64 seconds in the 100-meter dash and was a member of the school’s 4×100 relay team, which finished fourth in the state with a time of 40.97 seconds.
Pizzella is the first quarterback to join WSU’s class of 2025, which also includes recent commitments from safety Jamarey Smith and wide receiver Sean Embree, both three-star prospects from California.
I’m honored to announce that I’m 100% Committed to Washington State University‼️Thank you to my family, teammates, & coaches for all their support throughout my journey. Go Cougs! 🐾‼️@WSUCougarFB @CoachDickert @arbuckle_ben @Coach_Kuz @Throw_2_Win @EvanYabu @Coach_JRowe pic.twitter.com/QF9n6WRsYA
— Steele Pizzella (@steele_qb) June 18, 2024
Smith, a versatile defensive back from Oaks Christian School in Thousand Oaks, committed to WSU after visiting earlier this month. The 6-foot-2 safety chose the Cougars over offers from San Diego State, Colorado State, Hawaii, Louisville, and FCS Portland State. During his junior year, Smith recorded 57 tackles (37 solo), including two for loss, broke up eight passes, and recovered one fumble. A 247 Sports scout praised Smith’s ability to play multiple positions in the secondary, highlighting his length and athleticism, which allow him to effectively match up against larger receivers.
Embree, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver from Rancho Santa Margarita, committed to WSU after visiting with Smith. He turned down offers from Air Force, Florida Atlantic, and Portland State. In his junior season, Embree made 24 receptions for 423 yards and four touchdowns in seven games, with a long reception of 77 yards. His size and skill set are expected to bolster the Cougars’ receiving corps.
With these key commitments, WSU’s class of 2025 is shaping up to be a promising group, poised to make a significant impact on the field in the coming years.
