I can't wait to see the battles at Cornerback at the end of the month when practice begins for the 2019 season. Oregon State had a dismal 2018 at the position. The Beavs were near the bottom in takeaways last season and that number must improve. Cornerback is key to getting the Beaver offense back on the field. It is a young group except for Shawn Wilson the lone senior in the group.
His junior year had some good moments including the fact he played in all 12 games!
CAREER
• Has played in 31 games entering 2019, with 17 starts
• Has 82 tackles through those 31 games, with 4.5 for a loss. Also has two interceptions and eight pass deflections
2018 (REDSHIRT JUNIOR)
• Played in and started all 12 games
• Totaled 44 tackles with 2.5 for a loss, one interception and three pass breakups
• Picked off a pass in the season opener at Ohio State and returned it 33 yards. Finished with five tackles versus the Buckeyes
• Tallied a season-best seven tackles against Nevada, including one for a loss
• Also had a TFL at Washington, going for 14 yards
• Posted four-tackle efforts in three consecutive games - at Colorado, vs. USC and at Stanford
• Finished with six tackles, including half for a loss, against Southern Utah
• Credited with pass breakups versus Arizona, Arizona State and Stanford
Wilson will be called to be one of the leaders in the Defensive backfield along with Isaiah Dunn the Junior from Antioch, California.
Dunn had a message for donors at the end of last season:
Dunn has a tremendous upside because of his experience and has a great chance to start. He did have some good moments in 2018.
CAREER
• Has played in 14 games, making 10 starts. Has 60 tackles with seven pass breakups
• 2018 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention
2018 (SOPHOMORE)
• Played in seven games, making five starts. Totaled 32 tackles, with one for a loss, and six pass breakups
• Finished with a season-best eight tackles against California, adding one pass breakup
• Deflected two passes apiece versus USC and at Stanford
• Finished with six tackles apiece at Washington and versus Oregon. Had a TFL and a pass breakup against the Huskies
Another player who could get a ton of playing time in 2019 is Kaleb Hayes. He played Quarterback in high school and never had really played much defense until arriving at Oregon State. I do know Jonathan Smith is excited about his progress.
Alex Austin is one of the newcomers heading to Corvallis after graduating from Long Beach Poly. Tim Tibesar the Beaver Defensive coordinator introduces us to Alex:
Jo Jo Forest is another newcomer who hails from Mission Veijo High School....Tibesar gives us his take on the Cornerback:
And one more Freshman to talk about....Wynston Russell who hails from Chicago, Illinois!
The cornerback position is filled with young up and coming players who could help the defense become credible in the Pac-12 this season. Staying healthy will be the key.
Next up: Linebacker