Huskies fan finds a home as WSU walk-on

PULLMAN — You can't really read about Myron Beck in the 2008 Washington State football media guide, which probably made sense when the university published it back in the summer.

Junior transfer walk-ons usually don't require a whole lot of attention.

But Beck, who came to Pullman on somewhat of a whim back in January, has quietly emerged as one of the few feel-good stories on a team that's drowning in underachievement and poor work ethic.

Beck has started all eight games for the Cougars — the first three at safety and the past five at linebacker.

"He's worked hard — very hard actually," coach Paul Wulff said. "He's adapted and done everything we've asked. I'm very happy with him."

Beck, a star receiver and safety at Ingraham High School, played the past two seasons at Glendale Community College in Arizona.

"This is what I dreamed about," Beck said. "Last year I just couldn't wait to be settled and have a home somewhere — and not have to worry about recruiting or never being settled."

Calling Pullman home was never something Beck thought he would be saying.

Beck grew up a Huskies fan, living just 10 minutes from the Washington campus. His mother works in the business minority office, and he admits he was at the last Apple Cup passionately rooting for the Huskies — with no clue he would be living in Pullman just six weeks later.

But Pullman is a great fit, he said, because it's close enough to home, and allows his mother and uncle to travel to every home game.

Beck's father died of a heart attack before his junior year in high school. He wears a tattoo of him on his left arm.

"He'd actually be most proud of how I'm doing in school right now," he said. "I just wish he could see how good I'm doing now."

Beck started at safety while Xavier Hicks served a three-game suspension. Hicks' return coincided with a need for healthy bodies at linebacker, a position Beck had never played but something coaches had always considered trying him at.

"We always thought playing outside linebacker of some sort would fit his physical abilities," Wulff said. "His athleticism is definitely nice to have up there."

Beck admits he is a little undersized against offensive lineman (he's 5 feet 11, 202 pounds), but has used his speed and agility to make up the difference.

"It's funny I end up here of all places," Beck said. "But this is working out so well. It's truly a blessing."

"We told him he could earn a scholarship with patience and hard work," Wulff said. "He's done both and he's going to be rewarded for that."

Notes

• DE Mike Graise was dismissed from the team for breaking a team rule. Wulff said Graise is in school and will graduate in December.

• Wulff said QB Marshall Lobbestael's knee surgery took longer than expected, but "went well." He is expected to be released from Pullman Regional Hospital today.

• Wulff said it will be a game-time decision between Vaughn Lesuma and Steven Ayers at LT.

• RB Dwight Tardy is expected to start "if everything goes as is," Wulff said.