Fall camp is basically an optimism machine. Every August, every program in the country talks itself into being better than the experts think, and the Cougars are no different. But here's the thing about this particular defensive end conversation: the optimism has a name, and it's not just vague hope. It's Linus Zunk and Matyus McLain, two transfers who apparently spent spring ball making offensive tackles miserable. And if you've been around Pullman long enough, you know that "impressed during spring" can mean a lot of things. Sometimes it means a guy flashes for three practices and then vanishes by September. Other times, it means you're watching the start of something real.
What I like about this story is that it's not asking us to buy into a scheme or a hype video. It's asking us to trust the tape and the work. Zunk and McLain are the kind of additions that don't make a splash on signing day but make a statement in the weight room and the film room. They're transfers, which means they've got something to prove, and that's a good thing for a defense that needs a spark. The article frames it as a question: how good could they be? But I'd reframe it: how good do they need to be? Because the rest of the defense can hold up, but if the pass rush doesn't show up, the back end is just running on a treadmill. This isn't about being flashy. It's about being disruptive. And disruption is a transferable skill.
Here's where I'll connect this to the bigger picture of being a Coug. We don't usually get the five-star parade. We get guys who fit, who work, who buy into the culture. That's why stories like this matter. It's also why I'd point you to Seattle Weekend: Games, Fun, and Cougar Adventures for the off-field side of things, because being a fan is about the whole experience, not just the snap count. And if you're wondering how the other side of the state is doing, UW's new homepage: fresh look, better story, built for us is a reminder that everyone's trying to tell their own story, even if ours has more crimson in it. The point is, we're all just trying to get a little better every day, whether that's on the field or in the classroom.
So what's my honest take? I'm locked in on Zunk and McLain, but I'm not ready to hand them anything. The Pac-12 is a league full of quarterbacks who will punish you if you're late. The good news is, these two look like they're not going to be late. They look like they're going to be early, violent, and consistent. That's the standard. And if they can stay healthy and keep that motor running, the Cougars might just have a pass rush that changes the math on defense. For a team that's always looking for an edge, that's not just a nice story. It's a necessity. The one thing I'll be watching in fall camp is whether they can do it when the pads go on and the hitting is live. Because spring is for learning. Fall is for proving. And I think these two know the difference. That's the real question, and I'm betting they answer it with a sack or two.
