IT STILL FEELS strange to say with regard to college athletes, but Ashton Tripp has re-signed with Washington State for 2026, as announced by the WSU Twitter page on Saturday. Tripp, along with LB Keith Brown were both announced by WSU on Saturday, with Brown tweeting earlier in the week that he would be back. Tripp coming back is big for new head man Kirby Moore.
Starting-caliber left tackles don’t grow on trees, especially not ones that are 6-7, 303 pounds and who led the Cougs in snaps this past season.
But Tripp, who started all 13 games for the Cougars this season, has decided that the fourth year of his college career will be spent at the same place that his first three did.
Every fan gets skittish in today’s day and age, especially after a coaching change. But Tripp’s comments last August indicated that he likely wasn’t much of a flight risk, being just about 137 miles from his home of Kennewick.
“Definitely stay the course,” Tripp said in August of what he’s learned. “My first year, I got to play a little bit, but it wasn’t where I wanted to be. And then just kept going at it, doing the extra stuff and got to where I am now … it’s home. I’m two hours away. Family can come to all my games, and I just love this place. I won’t leave this place, it’s awesome.”
As is often the case with any young offensive lineman, there are still some ups and downs in his game. But he gave up just one sack all season per Pro Football Focus and finished the season on a high note, playing a clean game in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win vs. Utah State. According to PFF, Tripp did not yield a pressure in the bowl game.
The best ability is also availability, especially on the OL. Tripp missed just two snaps all season and with injuries and rotation swirling around the line around all season, he was the one steady presence from start to finish.
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BROWN’S RETURN WAS also officially announced. He tweeted on Tuesday that he would be back at Wazzu for his final year. Brown had originally tweeted he would be entering the portal, but deleted the tweet shortly thereafter.
It’s unclear yet what led to Brown’s change of heart, but it’s not impossible that the reported hiring of Trent Bray as DC played a role. Brown is from Lebanon, Ore., roughly 15 miles from Corvallis. OSU offered Brown out of high school, with Bray almost certainly heading up his recruitment as his position coach. It’s highly possible the two had a previous relationship.
Shoulder surgery resulted in Brown missing all of 2025, but the former Oregon and Louisville player made 26 tackles with 2.5 for loss and a sack in 2024. On top of that, he’s emerged as a leader and vocal presence not just on the defense, but throughout the locker room.
Ashton Tripp (Photo: Twitter/WSU)