WSU football player Esa Pole runs out before the WSU football spring game, Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Pullman, Wash.

As the draft process wrapped up, it became clear former WSU wide receiver Kyle Williams would be the only selection representing the Cougs in the 2025 NFL draft. A pair of undrafted Cougs brought more good news for this year’s class though.

On Saturday, Cougar football announced offensive lineman Esa Pole signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent while defensive end Nusi Malani received a rookie camp invite on Sunday from the Super Bowl runner-ups.

Pole’s draft status was always in question, as the offensive lineman grades topped out at the sixth round. Bleacher Report scout Brandon Thorn rated Pole as the 19th offensive tackle in the 2025 class and No. 261 overall early in the pre-draft process. Pro Football Focus ranked Pole as the 32nd tackle in the draft and No. 327 overall three days before the draft.

The Hayward, Calif., native grew up playing basketball before finally beginning his football career at Chabot College in 2021 where he quickly learned the tackle position. Pole transferred to WSU in 2023 as a junior college transfer and picked up the starting job. Pole said starting late helped him to focus on developing good habits, especially in the Air Raid-style offenses at Chabot and WSU.

“A lot of people might see that as a deficit of mine, being new to the game,” Pole said on the “Bootleg Football” podcast. “But being able to learn a sport at the college level, you don’t develop a lot of bad habits that you might develop in high school, or in middle school, like some nicks and knacks you have to rip over just to fix it.”

Pole made 21 starts at left tackle during his time at WSU, protecting the blindsides of two dynamic quarterbacks in John Mateer and this year’s No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. Pole allowed zero sacks in 498 pass-blocking snaps. The former Coug had the eight highest PFF pass-blocking grade in the draft at 85.8.

The biggest concerns with Pole entering the draft were his game still being too raw and his relative lack of inexperience. Pole has also shined primarily as pass-blocker, with his run-blocking lacking consistent drive and focus. While Pole, fell out of the draft as a result, he said his ability to adapt is a strength and the concerns are just an excuse.

“I hate that excuse that I am young in the game, like ‘It’s okay, go easy on him,’” Pole said. “I was like ‘no’, I think I’m in the best spot compared to a lot of the offensive lineman because I am new to the game.

The Chiefs still saw something in Pole, and will look to take advantage of his biggest strengths. Pole’s 6-foot-7, 320-pound frame and natural lateral quicknesses are huge pluses. Despite his inexperience, Pole has quickly picked up the position and translated his athleticism and physical features to fluid pass-blocking.

Despite sitting just below league average in sacks allowed (17th) and PFF true pass set grade (19th), the Chiefs offensive line was an area of weakness all year, especially with a revolving door on star quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ blindside. The Chiefs started four different players at left tackle including rookie Kingsley Suamataia, Wanya Morris, D.J. Humphries and Joe Thuney.

Kansas City attempted to bring in help by signing veteran O-lineman Jaylon Moore in the offseason, but Moore was primarily a backup during his time with the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs also drafted PFF’s third-rated tackle in Ohio State’s Josh Simmons, who is projected to make an immediate impact.

Pole will likely get the chance to compete for a backup spot during training camp, but will have to perform in a crowded room that includes Moore, Simmons and Morris as primary competition. Given the inconsistency and uncertainty at the position, Pole could find a place on the active roster.

Malani, the third of this year’s WSU class getting a shot at the pros, will get the chance to earn an invite to training camp via the team’s May rookie mini camp.

Malani started his college career at Virginia as an ESPN three-star recruit out of Junipero Serra High School. After one year with the Cavaliers, Malani transferred to WSU and recorded 56 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in three years with the Cougs. Malani appeared in every possible game as a Coug and was team captain in 2024.

The former Coug standout moved from defensive tackle to the edge in his last college season. Malani was named to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and Polynesian College Football Player of the Year watchlists in 2024.

Malani will compete with other camp invites, UDFAs and a Chiefs draft class that included two defensive lineman in Tennessee’s Omarr Norman-Lott and Louisville’s Ashton Gillotte. Veteran and All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones anchors the Chiefs’ defensive line, but the line has been an area of need for Kansas City, especially for the spot next to Jones.