PULLMAN — When Beau Baker first made his trip to Washington State, he didn’t see a small college town. Out of Springfield, Ky., with a population of less than 3,000, Baker was enamored by the vibe. And when the coaches he committed to left this past offseason, it didn’t change anything for him. He had already found a home.
“I’m from an even smaller town,” Baker said. “Pullman’s a big town compared to where I am … I kind of get ‘home-ish’ vibes. It’s like my home away from home. And the people that are here make it home too. The fans, everybody here. It just feels like I’m home.”
Baker is a former 4-star recruit but didn’t play in 2024 after tearing his ACL before the season. He played all 13 games this past season, gradually working his way into the tight end rotation, playing 97 snaps per Pro Football Focus. The total included a season-high 25 in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win over Utah State.
Baker was featured primarily as a blocker this past season, with 81 of 97 snaps in blocking roles according to PFF. He made just one catch for 12 yards, but it was a big one, as he hauled in a touchdown pass in the Apple Cup.
And after the coaching change happened, he quickly formed a connection that convinced him to stay in Pullman.
