The Pac-12 Conference has experienced a series of shake-ups over the last few years, including the departure of prominent schools such as USC and UCLA to the Big Ten in 2024. This realignment and the potential for further changes raise significant questions about the future of Washington State University (WSU) and Oregon State University (OSU), two schools that, historically, have been overshadowed by larger, more high-profile programs within the conference. A critical concern for these universities revolves around recruiting—how would an expansion or further realignment impact their ability to attract talent? As the Pac-12 navigates this uncertain landscape, WSU and OSU find themselves in vulnerable yet opportunistic positions.
### Current State of WSU and Oregon State in Recruiting
Both Washington State and Oregon State have traditionally lagged behind in recruiting rankings when compared to their more successful Pac-12 peers like Oregon, Washington, and USC. Factors such as market size, brand recognition, and recent on-field success influence recruiting, and the Cougars and Beavers often find themselves fighting for players who might not have offers from more elite programs.
For Washington State, the recruiting challenges have been compounded by its location in Pullman, Washington, a relatively small town compared to the urban hubs of other Pac-12 schools. While head coaches such as Mike Leach and now Jake Dickert have found ways to maximize the talent on their rosters, the reality is that WSU often ends up recruiting two and three-star athletes, needing to focus on player development more than schools with access to higher-rated talent.
Oregon State, located in Corvallis, Oregon, faces similar hurdles. Jonathan Smith has done an admirable job in raising the program’s competitive level, including a 10-win season in 2022. However, the Beavers still struggle to consistently land the kind of blue-chip recruits that go to their in-state rivals, the Oregon Ducks, or other top-tier programs in the region.
### The Potential Impact of Pac-12 Expansion
If the Pac-12 were to expand—whether by adding schools from the Mountain West, the American Athletic Conference (AAC), or other Group of Five conferences—the impact on WSU and OSU recruiting would be multifaceted. On the one hand, the addition of schools like Boise State, San Diego State, or Fresno State could offer opportunities. All three programs have competitive football teams and are situated in fertile recruiting grounds, particularly in California, where both Washington State and Oregon State have historically focused much of their recruiting efforts. This could open up new scheduling opportunities that allow WSU and OSU to play more games in California and surrounding areas, which would help them showcase their programs to recruits.
However, expansion could also bring new challenges. If the Pac-12 adds schools that are already recruiting powerhouses in their respective regions, like Boise State in Idaho or San Diego State in Southern California, WSU and OSU could face even stiffer competition for the same talent pool. Recruits from the West Coast, particularly in states like California, Arizona, and Nevada, could have more options within the Pac-12, potentially weakening WSU’s and OSU’s ability to attract talent from these areas.
In such a scenario, the recruiting battles between the middle-tier Pac-12 schools could become even more intense, with schools needing to distinguish themselves in other ways, such as facilities, coaching staff, or NIL (name, image, likeness) deals. This underscores the importance of WSU and OSU continuing to develop a unique brand identity to appeal to recruits who may not immediately gravitate toward the larger or more successful programs in the conference.
### The Role of NIL and Financial Stability
One of the emerging factors that could significantly alter the recruiting landscape is the rise of NIL opportunities. For schools like WSU and Oregon State, which do not have the same financial backing as USC or Oregon, the NIL era could be a double-edged sword. On one hand, the opportunity for athletes to profit from their own brand could entice recruits to consider smaller programs where they could be big fish in smaller ponds, with fewer star players competing for the same endorsement deals. On the other hand, schools with larger alumni bases and booster networks, as well as stronger media visibility, are better positioned to offer lucrative NIL deals.
Both WSU and Oregon State will need to continue to adapt in this space, finding creative ways to help their student-athletes take advantage of NIL opportunities without the financial firepower that some of their rivals enjoy. Booster collectives and partnerships with local businesses could be crucial in helping to level the playing field.
### Conclusion
The future of recruiting for Washington State and Oregon State hinges largely on how the Pac-12 evolves in the coming years. Expansion could bring both opportunities and challenges, depending on which schools are added and how they affect the competitive balance of the conference. As schools that have historically relied more on player development than star recruits, WSU and OSU must be prepared to leverage whatever advantages they can find, whether through increased exposure in new markets, capitalizing on NIL opportunities, or continuing to focus on building strong, cohesive teams. In this time of uncertainty, agility will be key to maintaining and even improving their recruiting efforts in the changing landscape of the Pac-12.