Cougar Football Adds Two JUCO Standouts
PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State football has signed safety Shalom Luani (Right) and defensive end Jeremiah Mitchell (Left) to a National Letter of Intent and both will join the Cougars this January in time for the start of the spring semester, head coach Mike Leach announced Wednesday.
“We’re excited about Shalom and Jeremiah joining the program,” said Leach. “Both are explosive players and will get the opportunity to come in early, get settled in the classroom and participate in spring practices.”
Luani will have three years to play two seasons for the Cougars after transferring from City College of San Francisco. Luani, 6-1, 200, was named Bay 6 Conference Defensive Player of the Year this past season after recording 69 tackles, six tackles-for-loss with four interceptions and two forced fumbles. He helped CCSF to an 11-2 record, a California Community College Athletic Association Northern California title and was named the CCCAA State Championship Defensive Player of the Game after making a team-high eight tackles, including two for loss. Last season, the Masausi, America Samoa native earned All-California Region I First Team accolades after making 49 tackles, seven interceptions and recovering four fumbles. Luani graduated from Faga’itua High School in Pago Pago, American Samoa in 2012, the same high school as current Cougar nose tackle Robert Barber.
“Shalom is a very good athlete with good size and great feet,” said Leach. “He is a former soccer player, explosive tackler who is physical and a downhill player who makes a lot of plays on the ball.”
Luani is rated a four-star prospect and the No. 19 overall junior college prospect by Scout.com, the No. 1 junior college safety in the country by 247Sports and No. 38 in the ESPN JC50, the top 50 prospects by ESPN.com.
Mitchell will have two years in a Cougar uniform after transferring from Riverside City College in Riverside, Calif. Mitchell, 6-5, 260, earned All-Central League second-team honors after making 43 tackles, including 13.5 for loss, and six sacks. Mitchell helped his team to a 10-2 record this season, reaching the CCCAA State semifinals before falling to eventual state champion Mt. San Antonio. Last season, the Lake Elsinore, Calif. native tallied 44 tackles including 9.5 for loss and three sacks.
“For his size Jeremiah is a very athletic player and a disruptive force on the defensive side of the ball,” said Leach. “He is an instinctive pass rusher with a great motor with the chance to make an immediate impact.”
Mitchell is rated a four-star prospect by Scout.com and No. 28 overall junior college prospect, along with the No. 16 defensive end prospect by ESPN.com.