The 2025 NFL season is in the books but it is one to remember, especially for Pro Cougs. While Abraham Lucas ultimately had the best season out of all of them, everyone took major strides in their careers. Representing the WSU brand better than any year prior.
Here is a recap of all of the Pro Cougs and how they did:
Abraham Lucas –The season could not have started worse for Lucas. Week One against the 49ers Nick Bosa had his way. One of the Seahawks’ three losses was in Week One, while driving down the field when Bosa bull-rushed Lucas into Sam Darnold. Resulting in a strip sack that Bosa recovered. The first few games of the season were tough, first he faced Bosa then TJ Watt. Lucas stayed the course however and picked up his play and was solid for the majority of the season. Lucas was the most healthy offensive linemen for the Seahawks and earned the trust of Darnold when he wanted to step up in the pocket.
In the biggest game of the year Lucas was phenomenal, while Kenneth Walker did much of the heavy lifting in the run game. The right side of the o-line had key blocks opening up holes for Walker to be explosive. Now, Lucas is a Super Bowl champion and the first Coug o-linemen since 2018 (Destiny Vaeao) to win the Super Bowl.
“I’m so grateful, we just made it happen. Amazing stuff,” Lucassaid.
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Washington State University linemen Abraham Lucas (72) and Cade Beresford (75) prepare for the snap during a college football game at Martin Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Pullman, Wash.
Kyle Williams –The rookie wide out never really got a true shot this season, even though he was a touchdown machine. Whether it was weird chemistry with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels or a loaded wide receiver room, Williams had an uphill battle. But, he showed potential signs of becoming a legit deep threat. Williams finished the season with 10 catches, 209 yards and three touchdowns.
In the Super Bowl Williams did not do much, finishing with just one catch for seven yards. During the game a streaker ran onto the field, Williams was the one who stopped him after security could not on multiple occasions. Looking onto year two, Williams and his development with QB Drake Maye is crucial. Whether they need to go on vacation together or play catch with each other they need to do it, to build up the connection.
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Kyle Williams celebrates to his sideline after scoring an early TD in 2023.
Frankie Luvu – In 2024 Luvu was an All-Pro but in 2025 he would have been lucky to be a Pro Bowl alternative. Head coach Dan Quinn elected to not call plays to begin this season and the Commanders defense looked like it. Especially Luvu who looked like a rookie on the field in coverage. Luvu is a blitzing/run stuffing linebacker not a pass coverage one. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. decided he did not want to utilize Luvu’s strengths. Late in the season Quinn took over play calling duties for Whitt Jr. and Luvu’s play improved instantly. Luvu ended the season with 86 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles. Luvu will be going into year nine and the final year of his contract. He will be looking to be dominant and earn a lucrative deal in free agency next year.
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Senior and former linebacker Frankie Luvu, right, celebrates a play for the Cougs in 2018.
Daiyan Henley -2025 for the Chargers linebacker was similar to Luvu’s, but Henley went from the Pro Bowl to a mediocre season. Henley went through a lot this year, starting from injury to his brother passing Halloween night. Henley however was not terrible as he picked up his play late. The future for Henley is bright if he can produce consistently. Henley finished the season with 103 tackles, three and a half sacks and two interceptions. Henley had back to back 100 tackle seasons. The Chargers have a few defensive free agents which means Henley’s production will need to improve.
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WSU linebacker Daiyan Henley celebrates after making a play during an NCAA football game against Colorado State, Sep. 17 2022.
Esa Pole –While the undrafted rookie did not play for the first three months of the season. After an injury to the starting left tackle, Pole was given an opportunity. Pole took the tackle job and never looked back. Head coach Andy Reid has praised Pole for his play and commended him for being ready for the opportunity. While it is unlikely he will be the starting tackle for the Chiefs he may garner interest from teams that are tackle needy.
HAILEE SPEIR
WSU offensive lineman Esa Pole blocks a defensive player during the WSU football spring game, Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.
Gardner Minshew –Similar to Pole, Minshew did not see the field until Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL. Minshew came into the game in the fourth quarter and had a chance to win the game for the Chiefs. Unfortunately after missing some key throws to Travis Kecle they lost the game. In the following week Minshew sustained an injury, at first it was suspected to be a torn ACL but after examination ended up being a bone bruise. Minshew will be a free agent this offseason but the Chiefs may look to bring him back, if not there is a vast amount of teams in need of a backup QB.
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Quarterback Gardner Minshew II runs onto the field as part of senior night before the Apple Cup on Nov. 23 2018.
Jaylen Watson –The two time Super Bowl champion had a roller coaster of a season. While he racked up tackles in most games, he was also unreliable at times against the pass. Watson ended the season with 64 tackles (career high), two sacks (tied career high), two interceptions (career high) and six pass deflections (tied career high). Watson was able to piece together a good season overall. He will be entering free agency and will be a top corner on the market, if he does resign with the Chiefs he is on track for a big pay-day.
Jaden Hicks – 2025 was not ideal for Hicks, he was a starter for the Chiefs and then became a special team player who barely played on defense. Hicks seemed to find his way into Steve Spagnolo’s dog house and never dug himself out of it. In the limited snaps he did play Hicks would make plays every so often but it does not appear that Spagnuolo cared. Hicks ended the year with 42 tackles (career high), half a sack and four pass deflections. With his limited play availability Hicks shined but not enough for an increase in play time, he will need to hone in on his coverage skills.
Chau Smith-Wade –The slot corner for the Panthers had a career year. While Smith-Wade is only in year two he made great strides on the Panther defense. He finished with 56 tackles (career high), one interception resulting in a touchdown and two pass breakups. Smith-Wade was one of the best secondary players for the Panthers. There are a few areas of his game that need work such as his consistency against higher competition and his ball skills. He needs to be a turnover forcer, when you are a nickel corner at times you get picked on and Smith-Wade fell victim to that a couple of times this season.
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WSU defensive back Chau Smith-Wade lines up during practice, Aug. 17 2022, at GESA Field.
Jalen Thompson –The seven year veteran had an impressive season, while the Cardinals finished 3-14 on the year. Thompson was a key piece for them, the former Coug showed flashes of his early 2020’s play. He had 95 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery and six pass deflections (most since ‘23). Pro Football Focus gave Thompson a grade of 68.7 ranking him top 35 in the league. Luckily for Thompson his contract is over with the Cardinals and if he elects to go elsewhere he will be able to contribute to a true contender.
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Then-sophomore safety Jalen Thompson heads onto the field before kickoff during a game against Oregon State University on Sept. 16, 2017.
Cam Ward – The No.1 pick in 2025, had a good season all things consider. While the stats Ward put up are not comparable to previous top QB drafted but they were good. The Titans fired their head coach, had no weapons and a bad offensive line. They were in all totality the blueprint for what you should not do when you have a rookie QB. Ward finished with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, seven interceptions, 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Ward was sacked 55 times, he was one of the most sacked rookie QB ever. Going into the year the Titans are trying to right their wrongs, hiring Robert Saleh as head coach and bringing in Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator. Daboll was pivotal in fellow rookie QB Jaxson Dart’s improvement over the beginning of the season.
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Cam Ward walking with the captains to oversee the coin toss during Family Weekend, Nov. 4 2023, in Pullman, Wash.
Overall, it was a successful season for the Pro Cougs in the NFL. Tons of latent across the board at all different positions. It is pivotal that former Coug players keep showing talent in the NFL because it makes marketing for WSU easier.
“If you want to be great go to Washington State,” Jon Grudensaid.