The Beavers are getting ready for the next season.
News of players leaving the Oregon State football team this past week came as no surprise. The Beavers signed 24 players in the 2012 recruiting class and by my count are still seven beyond the 85-scholarship limit.
There are 66 returning scholarship players, and reports have said DT Andrew Seumalo and P Tim McMullen will be awarded scholarships to make it 68.
Chances are other players will leave early for opportunities of more playing time or academic issues, and some recruits will greyshirt and delay enrollment until the winter. Maybe some recruits won’t academically qualify.
Coach Mike Riley already said PK Garrett Owens will greyshirt. And American Samoa players DL Noke Tago and LB Rommel Mageo are probable greyshirts. So that’s still seven more to go.
Fan response on my blog was either the ship is sinking because players are leaving, or that they quitting on the Beavers.
One, as pointed out above, room has to be made for the fall. Two, there’s no dishonor in wanting to play. That’s why they are here. A degree is always the backup plan until that moment comes when it’s not.
So offseason player attrition is as much a part of college football as tailgating and cheerleaders. The ship is not sinking because of that and they are not quitters. They are looking for a new beginning.
6 comments
dunstvangeet says:
Feb 19, 2012
Do we have any outstanding Greyshirts that are still coming in from last year’s class? And are those counted in your numbers of scholarships mentioned above?
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Feb 19, 2012
There’s on greyshirt TE Noa Alusei from Portland. However, Mike Riley had said he is joining the team this winter and spring and then going on a Mormon mission. These things can change, of course. So for now, he’s not in my count.
Aluesi, Noa
sdbeav says:
Feb 19, 2012
Sean Martin appears to have “attritioned” himself as well. Cornerback is going to be thin mint this season.
bbb says:
Feb 19, 2012
you got it sdbeav. last year we couldnt affor attrition at DT, OL, LB, and TE. in each of those cases we had one to 3 guys get hurt, not make grades, or quit. CB is already a concern and we lost the recruiting battle at that position and we have two guys gone from within the program. we are an injury away from a train wreck at that spot. time wo see if one or two of these midget RB’s can cover someone. do it now. dont wait, like riley and co always do, and get them up to speed.
ted0 says:
Feb 19, 2012
I’m not too worried about Martin, these things usually lead to a 1-3 game suspension and Martin played only 3 games last season. I’m guessing someone like Ryan Handford takes his spot on the two-deep. Sounds more likely now that Cyril Noland and Zack Robinson get first looks at CB if Cummings is dismissed and Martin is out for a while.
oneoldbeav says:
Feb 20, 2012
Welcome, coach Perry, to the world of coaching college age players. What a great opportunity to focus on lifeskills as well as football. And, taking note of bbb’s suggestion regarding preparation might be among the first things to do.