WSU defensive starters
DE Mkristo Bruce > All-America candidate and co-captain from Liberty High School in Issaquah. Pac-10 second-teamer after 10-sack, 67-tackle season last year that earned him WSU's defensive MVP award. He's on the watch list for Lott, Lombardi, Nagurski and Hendricks awards. Backup: Mike Graise
DT Feveae'I Ahmu > Started as a freshman because of injury to Ropati Pitoitua and tipped pass on final play of Apple Cup to preserve win. Mobile 282-pounder was a prize recruit from Serra High School in San Diego. Teammates call him "Mu." Backup: Aaron Johnson
DT Ropati Pitoitua > A 6-8 force in the middle with a huge wingspan. Missed the first five games of last season after suffering a broken leg in camp, and never seemed 100 percent. Didn't play football until junior year at Clover Park High School outside Tacoma. Backup: Matt Eichelberger
DE Lance Broadus > Became starter last week when Matt Mullennix suffered season-ending knee injury. Spent one season at West L.A. Community College and played in 10 WSU games last year, mostly on special teams. Has pass-rush skills but lacks bulk. Backup: Mike Graise
WLB Steve Dildine > Senior has improved every year. Dildine didn't play high-school football until his senior year at Bethel in Pierce County, but rushed for 2,265 yards and scored 45 touchdowns. Was No. 3 on team in tackles with 68 last year. Had three games with 10 or more tackles. Backup: Cory Evans
MLB Greg Trent > Made five consecutive starts last year as a true freshman when Will Derting was injured. Made 13 tackles against Oregon and 12 against UCLA. Second-team freshman All-America selection by the Sporting News. From Keller, Texas. Backup: Brian Hall
SLB Scott Davis > A co-captain and team leader who has started every game the past two seasons. Honorable-mention Pac-10. Made 11 tackles (eight solo) at California. He was a star running back and linebacker at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick. As a Cougars sophomore, had 10 tackles against Washington and caused a fumble that was recovered for a TD. Backup: Andy Mattingly
CB Tyron Brackenridge > Considered the team's best cornerback. Missed last season with academic problems but was able to practice, and made life miserable for receivers. Played at Chaffey CC in California. Backup: Brian Walker
SS Eric Frampton > Leading tackler last season with 87 stops, and was considered the best player in the secondary. Broke up eight passes and returned an interception for a touchdown at Nevada. Has the tools to have a special year. Backup: Christian Bass
FS Husain Abdullah > Started nine games last season. Athleticism and strength have improved. Coaches praise him for analytical skills, and secondary coach Ken Greene calls him a "student of the game." Brother Hamza was Cougars DB who has been in NFL camps. Made two interceptions at California. Backup: Michael Willis
CB Don Turner > Senior from Spokane's University High School has held off challengers for the job. Impressed coaches in camp with added weight and hustle. Has benefited from covering Jason Hill in practice. Made interception at Oregon State last year. Backup: Markus Dawes
P Darryl Blunt > Inherited job from Kyle Basler, one of the best punters in Cougars history. Played at St. John Bosco High School in Los Angeles and redshirted one season at Portland State before transferring to WSU. Has days when he hits rainmaker after rainmaker in practice. Backup: Loren Langley
> Hope for a Cougars turnaround from last year's 4-7 season appears to hinge on improved defense. Last year, the Cougars allowed an average of 36.1 points in Pac-10 games. Seven defensive starters are back. Another reason for hope is that top cornerback Tyron Brackenridge, who was out last season with academic problems, is in the lineup. Even with Brackenridge, the secondary remains the area of the most worry. The defensive line features All-America candidate Mkristo Bruce at defensive end, and the linebackers could be among the league's best with seniors Scott Davis and Steve Dildine and sophomore Greg Trent.
