Cougar Corner | WSU Football:Top 10 Players for 2009-No. 5

The offense of Washington State last season was non-existent. That has a significant bearing on my Top 10 player picks for the coming season.

Coach Paul Wulff and his staff have worked well with the players already on the roster to make the no huddle offense happen this season. 

The Class of 2009 is loaded with some very talented offensive players who will arrive in Pullman in a few weeks.

If the Cougs are going to right the ship and return to a highly competitive Pac-10 team, they will have to score points this year.

Marshall Lobbestael was the No. 10 pick. Lobbestael should be 100% by the time fall camp begins. Though he didn't participate in contact drills this spring, Marshall can run an offense that will score. Depth at running back, talent at wide receiver and a vastly improved line, Lobbestael's play will prove to be what WSU needs at quarterback.

Johnny Forzani is the definitive sleeper in the Pac-10. He has the potential to become a name player before the end of September. Forzani may well be much more valuable to the Cougs this year that a ranking of No. 9.

Jeshua Anderson is going to have a break out season. Hobbled by hernia surgery just prior to the beginning of last season, he never touched the ball enough to be the difference maker he can be. With the overall improvement of the offense, Anderson may finish the season as an All Pac-10 selection. Yes, he's that good. No question he's one of the Top 10 players on the roster which is why he checks in at No. 8.

James Montgomery may be OK with sitting out last season after transferring from Cal. The time he spent learning Coach Wulff's system and a year of developing physically have Montgomery ready to enjoy playing Pac-10 football again. Coming off a good spring, he's easily a legit No. 7.

Reid Forrest is a force. Special team play wins close games. Forrest is rock solid as the Cougar punter and will be the difference in more than one game this year. A rock solid player at rock solid No. 6.

Last season Washington State was thin at every position on defense. Despite that fact, they played some good football all year. Biggest problem for Coach Chris Ball and Coach Jody Sears was the amount of time their defense spent on the field. That isn't going to be the case in 2009 and will allow many of the talented student/athletes on defense to show what they're made of.

The first defensive player selected to my Top 10 list is Chima Nwachukwu at No. 5. Nwachukwu has played in every game since arriving in Pullman two years ago from Allen, Texas.

Now a junior, Nwachukwu gives the Cougs experience in the defensive backfield at safety. He's a savvy player with the speed and hops to cover the best any opponent dares to send his direction.

Here's a look at what Chima has done his first two years at WSU:

Chima Nwachukwu Stats

	Games	Tackles	Solo Tackles	Asst Tackles	TFL	Int.	Int Yards
2007	12	73	48	25	0	1	15
2008	13	57	31	26	.5	1	11
Career	25	130	79	51	.5	2	26

Nwachukwu is a tremendous student/athlete both on and off the field. He was named to the Pac-10 All Academic First Team last season. Along with that honor, Chima was WSU's representative at the 2008 NCAA Student-Athlete Development Conference.

Twice in his career Nwachukwu has racked up 13 tackles in a game. He was named to the Scout.com and The Sporting News Freshman All American teams in 2007.

His name is tough to spell and tougher to pronounce, but his play is memorable. Nwachukwu brings a unique combination of leadership and athletic skill to his team. 

Look for number 21 in crimson and gray to be a big play maker for Washington State in 2009.

Originally published on Examiner.com