Top 5 Washington State players who entered transfer portal before Holiday Bowl ft. John Mateer

The transfer portal has delivered a significant blow to Washington State. The Cougars, who posted an 8-4 regular season and are set to face Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl, have seen nearly three dozen players enter the portal.

Here are the five biggest Washington State standouts exploring transfer options.

Top 5 Washington State players in the portal before Holiday Bowl

Running back Wayshawn Parker has entered the transfer portal from Washington State. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

5. Ethan O'Connor, CB

After two seasons with Washington State, O’Connor is moving on. He redshirted in 2023 but emerged as a starter in 2024, proving to be a pleasant surprise for the Cougars. O’Connor recorded 32 tackles and broke up eight passes, including a team-high four interceptions.

O'Connor is from California and had committed to UCLA before ultimately deciding on Washington State. With three years of eligibility remaining, it will be interesting to see if he opts to play closer to home.

4. Fa'alili Fa'amoe, OL

A four-year standout for Washington State, Fa'amoe ended up starting for most of three seasons. After redshirting in 2021, he battled injuries in 2024 but still managed to spend most of the season as the starting right tackle. Considered a mid-range NFL draft prospect, the American Samoa native has one year of eligibility left.

3. Wayshawn Parker, RB

A 2024 recruit, Parker wasted no time making an impact in college. He rushed for 735 yards and four touchdowns as a true freshman, establishing himself as a power-five-level back. Parker was in the portal for only a brief period before committing to Utah, where he will have three years of eligibility remaining.

2. David Gusta, DL

A significant defensive tackle, Gusta was a lane-clogging presence. Though he didn't put up huge stats, he was widely regarded as one of the best defensive players on Washington State's roster. In three years at Washington State, Gusta accumulated 62 tackles, including six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

The 6-foot-3 Gusta initially indicated he planned to remain at Washington State but later entered the portal. He is worth watching, as he could still return to the Cougars.

1. John Mateer, QB

A Texas product, Mateer became a star at Washington State in 2024. Arguably the top quarterback in the transfer portal, Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns this season. He had played briefly in 2022 while redshirting and threw 17 passes in 2023.

Mateer's journey in the portal was a quick one, as he quickly surfaced with Oklahoma, which had recently lost its starting quarterback, Jackson Arnold. Mateer has two years of eligibility remaining and is well-positioned for another strong season in 2025.

What do you think of Washington State's portal losses? Share your thoughts below in the comments section!