The Washington State Cougars are a team that lives and dies by the transfer portal. Last year, this program had Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward and quarterback John Mateer, the nation's consensus top transfer portal player, on the roster. Unfortunately for the Cougs, Mateer is one of 31 players from Washington State football who will hit the transfer portal this offseason.

On December 18, Mateer committed to transfer to the Oklahoma Sooners. During the lead-up to the Heisman Trophy presentation, Ward said he believed Mateer would be one of the best quarterbacks in college football next year.

A big reason Mateer chose Oklahoma is because the Sooners hired Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski this month.

In 2024, Mateer passed for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Wide receiver Kris Hutson is the Cougars' highest-rated recruit upon his commitment to enter the transfer portal. A four-star prospect, Hutson was the No. 219 player in the 2020 recruiting class.

Two other four-star transfer portal players, cornerback Ethan O'Connor, ranked 13th, and running back Wayshawn Parker, ranked 59th, are departing the program.

Even more devastating, the Cougars have yet to secure a single transfer portal commitment this offseason-31 out, zero in.

After an 8-4 regular season, the Cougars are preparing to play No. 21 Syracuse in the Holiday Bowl on December 27.