Washington State snatches Brophy QB Bruggman from ASU, UofA

Brophy quarterback Tyler Bruggman put up some insane numbers last year for the Broncos. Bruggman completed 60.2 percent of his passes for nearly 2,500 yards, 37 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

All eyes will be on this young man in this his senior season. Those eyes will be looking for even more from Bruggman this year.

Especially those eyes looking from the Pacific Northwest, and in particular, those eyes in Pullman, Wash., as Bruggman has decided to join head coach Mike Leach and Washington State next fall.

Bruggman’s decision had to crush many Sun Devil and Wildcat fans who were hoping he would decide to come play for them instead.

Bruggman said the decision wasn’t an easy one to make, yet he felt like it was the right one for him to make.

“Just the opportunity to play for Mike Leach and really learn from him,” Bruggman said. “To use him as a mentor to really help me improve and grow as a person and as a player.”

Have you ever heard that voice in your head, or got that feeling in your gut and you listened and followed through, and it came out just fine?

Well, that’s what Bruggman did when he ultimately made the decision to be a Cougar.

“My gut was kinda telling me Washington State one morning, and that’s what I went with,” Bruggman said.

As you can expect, a decision like this can’t be made quickly or at the spur of the moment. It has to be well planned and thought out, two things that Bruggman made sure he did before making the choice.

It came down to Arizona State and Washington State in the end.

“I was going back and forth for a couple weeks, and almost committed to both schools before I pulled the trigger,” Bruggman said.

Growing up in Arizona, Bruggman got his fair share of exposure to the Pac-10 Conference, which is now the Pac-12 Conference.

He says he’s very much looking forward to becoming a part of the conference next fall.

“I’ve always knew about all the teams, and watched them every Saturday,” Bruggman said. “So, real excited to be there and have an opportunity to play there and play against the teams I’ve grown up watching.”

Sun Devil fans…Wildcat fans…I asked Tyler the question “could you change your mind and chose ASU or U of A before next fall,” and unfortunately for you guys, he gave this answer:

“I’m committed to Washington State and that’s where I’ll be next year,” he said.

No matter if he plays in Pullman, Wash., Tempe, Ariz., or Tucson, Ariz., this young man is an incredible talent, and more importantly than that, a great person as well.

Follow and applaud Tyler Bruggman for what he does on the football field.