I really enjoyed interacting with Beaver fans last night at Spirit Mountain Casino. It was our 10th annual visit to Spirit Mountain to kickoff the season with our Beaver Sports Talk show. Mike Parker, Steve Preece and Jim Wilson were on hand and all four of us analyzed the upcoming 2019 Oregon State Football season. Everyone naturally was upbeat about now year two of the Jonathan Smith era will be better. How much better is the big question. I also had a chance to watch practice yesterday in Corvallis. Here is an assessment of the team's health and some of the battles on offense and defense after twelve days of camp:.
Quarterback- Jake Luton continues to work with the ones and looked sharp completing 70 percent of his passes. Jake looks quicker and his arm strong. Tristan Gebbia shows a lot of fire and I like the look of the zip on his throws.....,much better than what I saw early in camp. Jack Colletto who is getting a lot of reps at linebacker did play Quarterback and looked impressive in goal line situations,
Running Back- Jermar Jefferson continues to watch and Artavis Pierce is working his way back slowly from an early injury in camp.The thing about RB........B J Baylor and Calvin Tyler Jr. are two hardworking talented running backs getting valuable reps this summer
Offensive Line- Senior Transfer Nathan Eldridge was in pads and particiapted in drills but that was about it. Jake Levengood was seen snapping the ball at center.
Tight End- Noah Togiai looks like he is having a great camp. One of the signs that he is healthy. Freshman Luke Musgrave 6'6" 236 pounds from Bend showed great speed and yards after the catch on one play early in the afternoon gathering.
Defensive Back- Jalen Moore wore pads but was held out with a hamstring injury. Safety David Morris continues his work to get back on the field.
Defensive Line- Elu Aydon looks like he has the potential for a great season down to around 375 and with an attitude you want to see approaching his final year in Corvallis. Jordan Whittley is on the mend from an injury.
One other note from the recruiting trail. Isaiah Newell a three-star RB recruit from Walnut Creek, California chose the Beavers over USC, Utah, Oregon, ASU and Colorado.