COUGAR NOTES: Ellison no longer part of WSU football team; Schlimgen rising up for Cougars

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Nov. 19—Junior college transfer wide receiver Devin Ellison is no longer with the Cougar football team, Washington State coach Jimmy Rogers confirmed on Monday.

Ellison, a native of Canton, Ga., and a transfer from Monterey Peninsula College (Calif.), came to Pullman after a juco season where, through 10 games, he racked up 837 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The junior chose WSU over offers from Boise State, Central Florida and others last summer.

Ellison was seemingly absent from the Cougars' 28-3 win over Louisiana Tech on Saturday at Gesa Field and his name was missing from WSU's online roster.

"We just decided to part ways," Rogers said of Ellison during his Monday news conference. "Good kid and wish nothing but the best for him moving forward."

When asked what led to Ellison's departure, Rogers said, "That's for me and Devin."

Ellison started the season with a heel contusion, Rogers said, and missed the first three games of the year. He made his WSU debut in the Apple Cup versus Washington, where he caught three passes from Cougar quarterback Zevi Eckhaus for 52 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown pass which brought Wazzu within seven points of the Huskies in the third quarter.

He appeared the next week at Colorado State, but did not register a catch.

Ellison missed the Ole Miss game on Oct. 11, with what Rogers said was an ankle injury sustained in practice. He was a healthy scratch from the Cougars' Oct. 18 game at Virginia.

Two days after WSU's 22-20 loss in Charlottesville, Va., Rogers said that WSU's other receivers had received the bulk of the practice reps for several weeks.

To earn playing time, Rogers said, a player would have to "know what (they're) doing when (they're) out there."

"We gotta trust that they know what they're doing, because they're the ones that are taking the reps," Rogers said. "And then when you get reps, you can't make mental mistakes. You gotta be able to execute. You gotta do the little things right."

The amount of name, image and likeness money that Ellison received is not public knowledge.

'We have no young guys'

Take a look at the center of the field when the Washington State defense graces the field and you'll see a figure you may not have seen as much back in August.

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True freshman linebacker Sullivan Schlimgen has usurped redshirt freshman Anthony Palano in the middle of the Cougars' defense.

However, Palano still makes an impact through frequent rotation and neither freshman's role is concrete, Rogers said.

The two fill the spot initially set for linebacker Keith Brown, who underwent preseason surgery and will miss the whole year.

Schlimgen has made 38 total tackles with one tackle for loss. He made a career-high nine tackles at Ole Miss on Oct. 11.

The Sioux Falls, S.D., native was nervous at the beginning of the season that he would have to redshirt because of a lack of playing time, but Rogers said he told him to be patient.

"I'm proud of Sully just stepping in and continuing to grow," Rogers said. "When you reward players and show them that you're willing to adjust playing time, I think everybody should be chomping at the bit to improve weekly, because it's the showcase of their skill and executing a game plan that we're looking for. And so we got to go with those that are having success."

WSU senior defensive end Buddha Peleti has emerged as an incredible force for the Cougars, racking up eight tackles, five tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

To Peleti, it's no surprise that so many younger guys, such as Schlimgen, have stepped up.

"We don't have any young guys here; everybody has to be treated the same," Peleti said. "Everybody has to be expected to go in and play. Everybody has to expect to get the same standard as everybody else.

"So to see the young guys coming in and doing exactly what the vets are doing, it's a great feeling."

Injury updates

Rogers confirmed last week that senior defensive tackle Max Baloun, who sustained a season-ending injury in the Apple Cup on Sept. 20, will receive a medical redshirt and return to the Cougars in 2026.

The WSU defensive line has impressed even without one of its best contributors for most of the season. The unit also has been without DTs Mike Sandjo and Kaden Beatty for six and five games, respectively. Their status is murky for Saturday's 10 a.m. Pacific kickoff at James Madison.

WSU senior safety Cale Reeder did not play in WSU's Saturday win against Louisiana Tech. Rogers said he is hoping to have Reeder back for Saturday's game at JMU, but said a return for senior day against Oregon State is more likely for him.

Reeder's absence is even more significant given junior safety Duhron Goodman's injury. Rogers said he does not expect Goodman to return during the regular season.

Taylor can be reached at 208-848-2268, staylor@lmtribune.com, or on X or Instagram @Sam_C_Taylor.

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