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Oregon State Beavers head coach Gary Andersen (center) as the Beavers held an open spring football practice and scrimmage in front of fans at Reser Stadium in Corvallis on April 11, 2015. The Beavers begin fall camp Saturday morning.
(Randy L. Rasmussen/The Oregonian)
Oregon State opens fall camp Saturday morning with a new coaching staff, new offensive and defensive schemes and plenty of new faces vying for significant playing time for a team trying to prove it's better than the preseason conference media polls project.
Heading into preseason practices, beat reporters Gina Mizell and Connor Letourneau examine the most pressing storylines and questions.
Besides the starting quarterback battle, what's Oregon State's most pressing storyline entering fall camp?
Mizell:
With the news of Darrell Songy's dismissal breaking earlier this week, linebacker depth becomes an immediate question. There's a good amount of young talent in that position group, sure, but the Beavers need four starters plus reliable backups as OSU continues its transition to a 3-4 base defense. Rommel Mageo and Bright Ugwoegbu seem primed to take two of the starting jobs, but who else steps up during camp?
Letouneau:
It's broad, sure, but who will become defensive leaders? Nine starters are gone from a 2014 group that was middling, at best. Cornerback Larry Scott, who was up and down opposite Steven Nelson last year, seems poised to help ease the transition of his young counterparts. Defensive linemen Jaswha James, Jalen Grimble and Lavonte Barnett are also equipped to lead. But which underclassmen will prove they're ready for major responsibility? Safety Justin Strong, linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu and cornerback Dwayne Williams are quality candidates.
Which position group has the most to prove?
Mizell:
Besides quarterback and linebacker, I'll go with running back. That might seem like a peculiar choice, with three returners (including Storm Barrs-Woods) at the position that all played last season, but Gary Andersen and offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin have both harped on the Beavers still needing to get tougher and more durable at that spot. And how does junior college transfer Tim Cook fit into the mix?
Letourneau:
At the risk of stating the obvious, the quarterbacks. None of the three contenders for the starting job have taken a college snap. And they're tasked with replacing the Pac-12's all-time passing leader. No one expects a freshman to step in and put up Sean Mannion-esque numbers right away. But for OSU to challenge for a bowl berth, it'll need Seth Collins, Nick Mitchell or Marcus McMaryion to play reliably under center. Wide receiver is arguably the Beavers' biggest strength. But wideouts of course need to get the ball to make an impact.
Which newcomers are the most intriguing?
Mizell:
Both are at cornerback -- junior college transfer Treston Decoud and true freshman Jay Irvine. With a starting spot open, both of those guys should compete with redshirt freshman Dwayne Williams. Decoud was a Junior College All-American, and a coaching staff generally brings in JC players to help immediately. But Irvine has already garnered a lot of praise during the summer. The quest to replace Steven Nelson will be one of the more interesting position battles to watch this fall.
Letourneau:
I'm really curious to see whether junior-college transfer Tim Cook can work his way into the running back rotation this season. He is a 6-foot-1, 232-pound bruiser adept at breaking tackles. But with the likes of Storm Barrs-Woods, Chris Brown and Damien Haskins returning, it's unclear what role Cook will play. I'm also wondering whether junior-college transfer Treston Decoud will challenge Williams for the starting cornerback job opposite Scott.
Who's your projected breakout star of camp?
Mizell:
I'll go with Ugwoegbu, who has already impressed throughout his young career despite not yet playing in a game. He's long and rangy and, simply, a playmaker -- something OSU needs from its linebackers in this scheme.
Letourneau:
Kyle Peko. The 6-foot-1, 305-pound defensive tackle impressed on scout team last year, but he is now academically eligible to play in games. So don't be surprised if Peko emerges as a first-team star in fall camp. He has the size, speed and instincts to be an all-conference player. Plus, the senior has plenty of motivation: He has one year of eligibility to play one season.
What's an under-the-radar storyline you will be tracking?
Mizell:
How has the receiving corps continued to develop? This is arguably one of the stronger groups in the Pac-12, but it frankly underperformed for a good chunk of the spring. Andersen has pointed to those pass-catchers making the flashy play but dropping the easy ball. Whoever wins the quarterback derby will need some help from his receivers. The best way Beavers can do that is by becoming consistent, reliable targets who can take easy throws and turn them into big gains after the catch.
Letourneau:
How will Nick Porebski adjust to this level? The junior-college transfer is the likely successor to Keith Kostol at punter. But only a couple years ago Tim McMullen arrived at OSU from Division II Humboldt State as a seemingly strong choice at punter. He struggled, eventually lost the job to Kostol and settled for place-holding duties. Porebski must prove that his 45.4-yard average at Snow College in 2013 was no aberration.