Veteran mauler with starting-caliber guard experience
AJ Vaipulu brings real plug-and-play value to Washington State: in the 2024 season at New Mexico State, he earned Second-Team All-Conference USA honors and started all 12 games, and by August 2026 he was being discussed as a one-year Coug who started 13 games at right guard in 2025 and even drew East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 attention. He’s built for interior trench work — sturdy at 6-foot-2, 295-302 pounds — with his biggest differentiator being experience, toughness, and reliable run-game value, though some reports note his pass-protection consistency can be average.
