SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington State football coach Paul Wulff said Tuesday that he found a scout team quarterback following tryouts that were open to any WSU student.

Wulff said freshman Peter Roberts of Woodinville, Wash., will be added to the team.

“He’s a very smart kid,” Wulff said. “All we’re asking him to do is help our scout team and help our defense. He’s got some athletic ability, he’s got enough arm and he’s played quarterback.”

Roberts was a three-year letter winner in football at Woodinville High School.

The process drew lots of media attention because the Cougars lost their top two quarterbacks to injuries and are down to third stringer Marshall Lobbestael and two reserves. That doesn’t leave someone to run the scout team.

The scout team quarterback simulates the offense of the next opponent so the defense won’t be surprised in the game. It requires someone skilled enough to at least perform like a quarterback.

“It’s important to have a body there,” Wulff said.

Wulff laughed when asked if Roberts would ever get in a game.

“Right now we’d hope not,” he said. “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.”

Wulff said Monday’s tryout drew 29 candidates, with hundreds of spectators and lots of reporters.

Each candidate performed five-step drops, agility drills, threw on the run and then threw long, getting one chance at each drill.