Washington State, Kirby Moore stun with Rashaun Lavata'i's commitment

Washington State landed a major commitment in the 2026-27 recruiting cycle when four-star offensive tackle Rashaun Lavata’i pledged to the Cougars on Tuesday, choosing them over hometown Washington Huskies, Utah and Oregon State. The Curtis High School product outside of Tacoma had been named offensive line MVP at the Under Armour Next Camp in Phoenix, which drew immediate attention. Rivals/On3 national recruiting analyst Brandon Huffman, based in Phoenix, reported that Washington State first hosted Lavata’i for an official visit while he toured Utah, Washington and Oregon State. Lavata’i cited relationships with Washington State offensive line coaches Jack Abercrombie and Josh Taufalele, and pointed to coach Kirby Moore’s emphasis on recruiting the Pacific Northwest and specifically Washington state. The commitment also gives the Cougars the highest-rated Group of Six pledge in the nation. Separately, Utah continued building momentum with multiple in-state commitments, including receiver Jaxton Itaaehau, edge rushers Jackson West and Monson Tukuafu, safety Kaleb Hall, and cornerback Jaden Bibbs.