Adding pieces to the Washington State offensive line has been a real priority throughout this offseason for head coach Jake Dickert and his staff.

On Wednesday, the Cougars added a potential plug-and-play guy at the tackle spot. Grant Stephens, a season-long starter for Northern Colorado last season, announced his intention to transfer to Washington State for his senior season. Stephens will be a fifth-year senior after Northern Colorado didn’t play the 2020-21 season.

Stephens started all 12 games for the Bears during the 2019 season and then all 11 during the 2021 season. Despite the team finishing with a 3-8 record, the 6-foot-4 tackle helped guide UNC to the fewest allowed sacks in the Big Sky. He earned a spot on the All-Big Sky Second Team for his efforts, no small feat for an offensive lineman on a losing team.

There will certainly be plenty of opportunity for Stephens to step into an immediate role on the Wazzu line.

Both of last year’s starting tackles—Abraham Lucas and Liam Ryan—were as reliable as they come but have left the program. They combined for 84 starts between them across four years. Cade Beresford and Brian Greene, both interior guys, transferred out of the program. Those four made up four of the top seven snap-getters a season ago. There should be competition all over.