Starting MLB David Pa’aluhi left the Oregon State football team to join the military, coach Mike Riley announced Thursday.
Pa’aluhi started all 13 games last season as a third-year sophomore. He was second on the team in tackles with 77 and was honorable mention All-Pac-10.
“We fully support David’s decision,” Riley said in a release. “He’s a terrific young man with a great future, and all of us in the Beaver football program thank him for his contributions and wish him the best.”
Here’s a longer story that will appear in Friday’s GT. It has a look at who will be looked to, to replace Pa’aluhi.
12 comments
Cliff: Pa'aluhi leaves football team « Cliff Kirkpatrick | NFL Topics Blog says:
Feb 25, 2010
[...] unknown wrote a very interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt:Cliff: Pa’aluhi leaves football team 3272Commentshttp://cliffkirkpatrick.mvourtown.com/2010/02/25/cliff-paaluhi-leaves/Cliff%3A+Pa%27aluhi+leaves+football+team2010-02-26+00%3A17%3A00Cliff+Kirkpatrick. Starting MLB David Pa’aluhi left … [...]
Cliff: Pa'aluhi leaves football team « Cliff Kirkpatrick « Anees Khan says:
Feb 25, 2010
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Cliff: Pa'aluhi leaves football team « Cliff Kirkpatrick | teste says:
Feb 25, 2010
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Cliff: Pa'aluhi leaves football team « Cliff Kirkpatrick | All Topics Blog says:
Feb 25, 2010
[...] Cyriaque Lamar wrote an interesting post today on  Here’s a quick excerpt  Cliff: Pa’aluhi leaves football team 3272Commentshttp://cliffkirkpatrick.mvourtown.com/2010/02/25/cliff-paaluhi-leaves/Cliff%3A+Pa%27aluhi+leaves+football+team2010-02-26+00%3A17%3A00Cliff+Kirkpatrick. Starting MLB David Pa’aluhi left … [...]
aaron_ says:
Feb 26, 2010
Cliff, with Bubba gone and quite possibly Pankey too who do you think will be the next two to step up. Tnoy wilson, The Unga brothers or even Zane Norris? I like the size of the Unga's but do you think that they have the athleticsm and speed to play full time? I like Wison I think he could be good and hopefully Zane can step up and continue in his brothers footsteps. The LB spot was a strenght going in to this next season. Now Roberson will be the only vet, do you think the Beavs can keep up the LB corp as one of their strengths?
ckirkpatrick says:
Feb 26, 2010
Wilson and Robinson will get the first cracks in the middle. I see the Unga brothers sharing one OLB spot like Pankey and Roberson did.
I wouldn't rush Pankey back because he has a redshirt year.
OSU's depth will be tested, but the Beavers have many LBs. That's what the spring is for, sorting out who can do what.
pddrad says:
Feb 26, 2010
cliff does this leave a scholership open and can we still bring in a jc or bring in a greyshirt i know were deep at this position but young i would hate to see us go back at this spot it has been are bread and butter in the past years any thing u can tell appreciate ty cliff
ckirkpatrick says:
Feb 26, 2010
A greyshirt will come in sooner or a walk-on will be given a scholarship. I doubt there is an impact JC LB out there. And OSU typically goes after JC d-linemen, and an occasional corner. The Beavers like to develop the LBs over a long period of time.
uberVU - social comments says:
Feb 26, 2010
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rooruns says:
Feb 26, 2010
Cliff,
I am curious about what went into Pa'aluhi's decision. To me that would make an interesting human interest story. Seems like a big decision that would warrent some coverage. What branch of service, etc., would also be interesting. Is this out of the blue, or has it been on his radar? Does he hope to pursue football at a later date? I would like a little more depth in the article. Thanks for your coverage. Have fun at the baseball games this weekend.
ckirkpatrick says:
Feb 26, 2010
I'm pretty sure it's family related. He had a wife/gf around last year with a young baby. They are from Hawaii, I'm guessing it had to do with supporting a family and getting closer to his family for her and child.
mckalk says:
Feb 27, 2010
He must have a real sense of urgency in needing to support his family now. It is not like the Navy will not still be there in two years. Lots of Beaver linebackers have received long looks from the NFL and with two years still to develop who knows how that could have played out. Not to mention a college degree certainly holds value for long term personal economics. Anyway, a very honorable choice no matter the cirmustances.