Washington State may have lost its 2025 quarterback recruit due to a coaching change last month, but they are bringing in another high school quarterback.
Owen Eschelman, a product of Norman (Okla.) North, had originally committed to Coach Jimmy Rogers at South Dakota State but announced on Wednesday that he is flipping his commitment to WSU. Eschelman is Rogers’ third high school recruit at WSU, joining others who were previously committed to SDSU.
Along with Eschelman, three-star linebacker Isaiah Hung and three-star defensive lineman Donovan Fitzmaurice, who were both previously pledged to SDSU, are also following Rogers to WSU. Additionally, two more SDSU transfers joined WSU on Wednesday: linebacker Anthony Palano and offensive lineman Nick Bakken.
These two transfers are part of the 14th and 15th former SDSU players to join WSU since Rogers’ arrival. On top of that, Rogers secured his first transfer from a different school on Wednesday: former Cal Poly defensive tackle Soni Finau, who started six of the 11 games last season for the Mustangs.
Eschelman, a three-star quarterback according to Six Star Football, is a dual-threat player. During his senior year at Norman North, he completed 171 of 321 passes (53%) for 2,691 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also rushed 224 times for 1,383 yards and 19 touchdowns. At 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, Eschelman has solid size for the position.
Eschelman’s only other reported offer out of high school came from Rogers at South Dakota State. In 2024, he led Norman North to a 4-8 season, including a playoff win. Although he is not ranked by 247Sports or Rivals, Eschelman’s career began late in his sophomore year when he stepped in for the injured starter during the team’s first playoff game. Despite the loss, it propelled him to success in Oklahoma’s top division.
Norman North coach Jones praised Eschelman’s mental strength and competitiveness, noting that his background as an exceptional basketball player helps him in tough situations on the football field. Eschelman is known for his resilience and ability to quickly move past mistakes and focus on the next play.
Though five players have decommitted from WSU’s 2025 class, Coach Rogers has the option to either keep or drop the remaining 18 recruits. Rogers is scheduled for his introductory news conference in Pullman on Thursday.
Additionally, Soni Finau, a 6-foot-2, 345-pound defensive tackle, transferred from Cal Poly after totaling two sacks on 12 pressures during the 2024 season. Finau’s performance in a crucial game against Sacramento State helped lead to a game-winning field goal. Having spent three seasons at Cal Poly, Finau will have one year of eligibility remaining at WSU.
Anthony Palano, a linebacker, played in six games during his freshman year at SDSU in 2024, including three regular-season games. This allows him to retain his redshirt year, giving him four years of eligibility at WSU. Palano, from Arlington Heights, Illinois, was a standout in high school, earning first-team all-state honors and accumulating impressive stats.
Nick Bakken, an offensive tackle, played four regular-season games as a freshman in 2024, retaining his redshirt year. Bakken was part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack during nearly 120 dropbacks in his senior season, earning him all-conference and all-region honors.
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