Brent Brennan, left, is out to make another splash on the recruiting trail this summer.
The Oregon State football coaches spent May in evaluation mode looking at prospects around the country at various camps.
There have been no verbal commitments for the class of 2013, yet, but they should start in the next month or so. Recruits are deciding earlier and early these days.
So, let’s look at what the Beavers need for this class.
There are 18 seniors on the roster and 15 are on scholarship. OSU loses players at every position but QB. The biggest loss is at CB with four departing, but only one starter in Jordan Poyer.
Other starters lost are OT Colin Kelly, DT Castro Masaniai, LB Kevin Unga, TE Colby Prince, WR Markus Wheaton and S Anthony Watkins.
While that’s a big chunk of talent, the next in line should already be on the roster. The recruiting class should be about replenishing the depths.
WR, LB, DT and DE lose two players each. The rest of the positions it’s one. That’s a good thing, so the Beavers don’t have to use up seven scholarships on any one position like they did with the OL last year.
So expect the Beavers to try and get the best players possible at each of the positions. And of course, expect 20 athletes or so to sign. Overshooting a little allows for regular attrition on the returning roster.
According to Rivals.com, OSU has 76 offers out. And, yes, there are some five- and four-star athletes offered. We’ll see if they can land any.
59 comments
Evan says:
Jun 4, 2012
Talking top recruits, Thomas Tyner was originally committed to OSU (before attending the Sac St game and committing to UO). He’s one of the top RBs in the nation, do you think we are still pursuing him and even have a chance?
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Jun 4, 2012
From reading about him at the time, I doubt he’s even considering OSU.
kersting13 says:
Jun 4, 2012
A little more in-depth about the other 3 senior CBs on the roster: Brian Watkins (walk-on), Keynan Parker, and Ryan Handford. I don’t think Handford or Watkins have ever played a down on defense for OSU (Handford only even played in one game in his career). Parker has played a lot of special teams, but I rarely remember seeing him line up on defense.
OSU DOES need to pick up some CB commits, however, due to the last-second bailing of Cleveland Wallace and Devian Shelton from last year’s class, not necessarily because we lose 4 seniors.
mike says:
Jun 4, 2012
0 verbal commitments, and the rest of the pac 12 has between 2 and 8.
Let the Bobby Petrino era begin!!
Tagup says:
Jun 6, 2012
Can Bobby bring his girlfriend?
dili says:
Jun 4, 2012
I commented on this issue last week and echo what you say Mike. Many of the top recruits are looking around and selecting a school now in order to get the decision as to where they will go behind them so they can focus on where they will be, and get going. We are the only Pac 12 school without a committment and it seems to me a large reason for this is that our coaching staff (particulalry offensive and defensive coordinators) is not highly regarded in the recruiting circles.
Using young Tyner as an example, can you imagine if you are a 5-star player running back and you have the choice to go play for Chip Kelley and his spread offense, or at OSU under Danny Langsdorf and his boring predictable, scheme as well as an offensive line that is comprised largely walk-ons, which way would you go? Well, get the point!!!! Its time for a change of the guard at good old OSU.
midwest beav fan says:
Jun 4, 2012
It seems the main problem with the coach Riley and staff, is their inflexibility. They run a pro style system on both offense and defense, which requires pro caliber athletes. If we recruited like USC, Texas, Alabama, LSU ect…. I have no doubt that there schemes would be successful. However, since we don’t get the 4 & 5 star recruits, some innovation is needed, like some of the successful coaches have done at the formerly mid major programs like Boise State and TCU. These guys recognized that they had to try some different things in order to even the playing field, so to speak, against major programs and look at them now. Since they Beavers can’t recruit the players they need to run their system successfully, then they need to alter the system to fit the players they have and recruit. I hate to say this, trying to be realistic, but I think Riley’s inability to change may cost him and his staff their jobs after this year. I think he has to win a minimum of 6 games to keep his job.
Beavergopher says:
Jun 4, 2012
Midwest sensibility. Spot on.
73GradMike says:
Jun 4, 2012
I’m not going to make excuses for the current football staff. Top coaching can attract top talent (see OSU baseball, gymnastics, and the Ralph Miller and Dale Thomas eras). However OSU does have an inherent disadvantage being located in Corvallis. I enjoyed living in Corvallis for 9 years, but I am not a 5-star athlete.
I contend that most 5-star athletes do not find Corvallis to be a top destination among Pac-12 cities. As a matter of fact, it is probably a bottom-4 (bottom-3 for non-Mormons) desired destination. It would take GREAT coaches (along with maybe a sugardaddy) to enhance the desirability of Corvallis to top recruits.
73GradMike says:
Jun 4, 2012
AND … I have written for a long time my comments to agree with midwest beav fan. The coaches “need to alter the system to fit the players they have and recruit”. They need to “try some different things”. Above all maybe this means STOP DOING WHAT DOESN’T WORK!”
I hope that midwest beav fan is right. Riley must have a winning season or it’s time for big changes.
OSU4Life says:
Jun 5, 2012
Eugene is so much better than Corvallis??? Take away $340 Million of Nike money from their facilities, and they’re about even.
Tommy K says:
Jun 5, 2012
I’ve lived and worked in both towns. I prefer the quieter, casual nature of Corvallis, but Eugene has quite a bit to offer, including a world-class concert hall, a really nice big mall (and a semi-okay one), much bigger population base, bigger African-American community, obvious tie-ins with Nike, and an airport.
When you throw in all the newer buildings (both academic and athletic), Eugene is hard to compete with for the attention of young, impressionable athletes.
CANRILEYNOW says:
Jun 4, 2012
NEWFLASH:
OSU CAN NOT RECRUIT IF THEIR LIVES DEPENDED UPON IT.
3 WINS THIS YEAR TOPS.
FIRE MIKE RILEY AND HIS UNDERACHIEVERS OF MEDIOCRITY.
dunerat says:
Jun 4, 2012
Give it up. 1st of all OSU can’t afford to get rid of Riley. 2nd if they did somehow, that means BobbyD would be picking a new Coach. And we know how BAD he has done there, except for Scott Rueck, which was his second time picking a WB Coach there. Riley will have to keep changing Assistants though.
BeaverDon says:
Jun 4, 2012
Why do fans keep talking about Riley and his staff losing their jobs. Riley has a contract through like 2019. In order to buy him out of his contract would take millions of dollars, and that is assuming the BDC wants to get rid of him. Maybe some of his staff, but Riley can coach at OSU until he is old and gray. We are stuck with the guy.
73GradMike says:
Jun 4, 2012
Man on man I hate being realistic when it results in mediocrity OR WORSE.
Beaverpride says:
Jun 4, 2012
Don. I agree but I think we are also stuck with the same coordinators unless they leave on their own.
pddrad says:
Jun 5, 2012
do you people even have a job yourself the season has not even started and you have are coach fired and the team 0-12 please do yourself and the rest of us a favor and enjoy the summer. and then we will play football when the time comes. september.thanks
jerry2005 says:
Jun 5, 2012
Lets see,
OSU football has been steadily declining for the last five years.
OSU is the only PAC 12 team without a verbal commitmentfor 2013.
Mike and his pals have not made any changes to the scheme for the upcoming season.
OSU barely scraped together a spring game this year.
Why do you think people get online and complain about the coaches???
BeaverDon says:
Jun 5, 2012
pddrad,
Have you been paying attention to the Beavers? As jerry2005 point out the program has been in decline for the last 5 years. The Beavers have lost the last 4 Civil War games. Losing records the last two years. Riley has never done better that the Sun Bowl. Not enough healthy player available to have a Spring Game. No commitments for 2013.
The time to be concerned is now, not in September.
Tagup says:
Jun 5, 2012
Somebody explain the 5 year decline to me….
2007- 9-4
2008 9-4
2009 8-5
2010 5-7
2011 3-9
The last 2 years I get, but how is that a 5 year decline?
Jerry2005 says:
Jun 5, 2012
Yes we had winning records in 07,08, and 09 but look at out offensive and defensive production and national rankings and we have been on a steady decline in both areas. If you really have not seen the decline for 5 years I don’t know what you have been watching.
It’s clear the coaches can teach technique, they just need to install a new system. We have been figured out.
Beavrob says:
Jun 5, 2012
To say that the Beavers have declined over the last 5 years is simply false. They were Rose Bowl contenders in 2009 and 2008 and finished 2nd in the Pac-10 both years, so no decline in that span.
The Beavs haven’t been “figured out”. The last two years are easily explained by the combination of two simple factors: 1) breaking in a new starting QB, and 2) lack of talent and depth on the lines. Any system can be “figured out” if they don’t have good QB or line play.
The current 2 year decline is coming to an end.
bone says:
Jun 5, 2012
Yeah going into the 2009 civil war I remember thinking “boy we heading down the wrong path”…wait that can’t be right? Even the first half of the 2010 season didn’t show signs of what was going to happen, I think we are on a 1 1/2 season slide, but they are results poor luck with recruiting from 3-4 years. I disagree with a few things Jerry2005, 2007,2008,2009 were all fun seasons to watch and didn’t show signs of the turn for the worse we have taken.
Jerry2005 says:
Jun 6, 2012
Rob, Just open your eyes and look at the numbers for the last five years. Offense, our average yards and points scored per game has gone down each year. Defense, we have given up more yards per game and points per game each year. It didn’t take long for the win loss record to catch up to our declining production…
Get some tape of Derek Anderson and Sean Manion. Pick out situational plays (field position, down and distance and what not) we still run the exact same plays we ran 10 years ago and have a tendency to run them in the same situations. Heck my friends wife in the stands knows when we are running a half as$#@ draw play on first down.
The lack of depth n the lines has been obvious for years, only coaches can be blamed for not making them a priority in recruiting. Look what one year of focused effort brought in, if they would have done that three years ago like they should have comments on these pages would be a lot different.
Again, we have a coaching staff that can clearly teach technique but the game is evolving and out scheme is not evolving with it. I’m not saying the coaches need to drop everything and get a new play book, they just need to do what every other coach dose in the off season. Go to camps, learn new schemes for offense and defense. If anything it helps game plan and they can integrate a few new plays each year that works. Dusting off a tired old fly sweep for the one new play in 10 years is not my idea of constant improvement. Our coaches need to work as hard in the off season as the rest of the coaches in the NCAA. Out of shape players, poor recruiting and losing seasons show they are NOT!!!
Tagup says:
Jun 6, 2012
I see, now in addition to winning this season OSU also has to meet some unknown standard of offensive and defensive production. I guess those are called “style” points.
As for me, I’ll take wins as the measure of success..If OSU will cut out the early season ranked opponents they will be fine.
Jerry2005 says:
Jun 6, 2012
Tugup, our decline in so called “style” points can be directly correlated to out win/loss record.
Also, it is not an unknown standard of production. Its actually a simple long established standard, scoring more and giving up less than your opponents. To score more you usually need more yards, to give up fewer points you usually need to give up fewer yards. Call those style points if you want but those style points are what you need to win games…
Beavrob says:
Jun 6, 2012
Jerry, I agree that the recruiting falls on the coaches. Play-calling needs to be improved and adjustments need to be made to the offense overall. But running the current system has not been the problem, and changing to a whole new system is not the answer.
I have opened my eyes and looked at the numbers as you suggested, and this is what I see:
Scoring offense and defense:
2007: 362 PF, 294 PA, 68 PD
2008: 397 PF, 300 PA, 97 PD
2009: 409 PF, 325 PA, 84 PD
Total offense and defense, Pac-10 rankings:
2007: #8 offense, #2 defense
2008: #3 offense, #4 defense
2009: #3 offense, #4 defense
The offensive numbers clearly do not support your conclusion of a decline. By your measure the defense has declined since 2007, but the Beavs more than made up for it in the point and yard differential. If you are using these stats as the basis for decline, then at worst the Beavs are in a 3 year decline, but considering they were still Pac-10 title contenders in 2009, who cares? They were not Pac-10 contenders in 2007 or 2006, so I’ll take that over the stats any day.
Jerry2005 says:
Jun 6, 2012
Overall national rankings:
2007 #78 offense, #8 defense. #1 against the run, helped cover for Canfield year 1.
2008 #30 offense, #23 defense.
2009 #34 offense, #46 defense.
2010 #94 offense, #86 defense.
2011 #73 offense, #84 defense.
That is not a trend I like to see and I think my conclusion is well supported.
Tagup says:
Jun 7, 2012
Merely comparing stats on a year to year basis as a measure of success doesn’t add up…It compares seasons without considering the variables that happen within the team or within the schedule. Do you think comparing an average schedule vs one with 3-4 top 10 teams makes a fair comparison?…
Beavrob says:
Jun 7, 2012
Jerry, even by your own standards of measuring the success of the team based on their national rankings in offense and defense, there is at worst a 3 year decline, not a 5 year decline.
Tagup says:
Jun 7, 2012
Well..so much for your statement that “statistical rankings are directly correlated to our win/loss record.”
from your post:
2010 Offense #94 Defense #86
Record 5-7
2011 Offense #73 Defense #84
Record 3-9
Improvement in rankings do not necessarilly equal better w/L results
Jerry2005 says:
Jun 7, 2012
I still see a 5 year decline in Defense, a 4 year decline in Offense(with one outlier) and a 5 year decline in the win loss record, remember winning 10 in 2006??? You look at the numbers your way and I will see them my way.
Tagup says:
Jun 8, 2012
Are you looking at the same stats you posted?
Change in National rankings year to year:
07-08 Offense up Defense down
08-09 Offense down Defense down
09-10 Offense down Defense down
10-11 Offense up Defense up
3 year decline on D until last year, 2 year decline on Offense until last year. so how can you read that differently?
Win Loss in posted above..I don’t see how it’s possible to have a 5 year decline when 07 & 08 were both 9-4 seasons..how is that a decline?
I don’t think your “5 year decline statement” holds water.. it is not supported by any of the statistical records even the ones you provided.
Beavrob says:
Jun 8, 2012
Agreed Tagup, I missed on last year…by Jerry’s standards the offense and defense are actually back on the rise, so there is no current decline in that regard.
Jerry, I would like to be able to see what you are seeing even from your numbers but I cannot. Please show us this 5 year decline, year to year as Tagup has done, but through your eyes.
And Jerry, if you are going to talk about wins/losses, wouldn’t you agree that the ones that really matter are those against conference opponents? That is main factor which determines which bowl the team will go to.
Jerry2005 says:
Jun 8, 2012
WOW…
2006, 10 wins. CW win (Benchmark)
2007, 9 wins, #78 Offense, #8 Defense, CW loss > down + Down + ? maybe up + down = DOWN
2008, 9 wins, #30 Offense, #23 Defense, CW loss > even + up + down + down = DOWN,
2009, 8 wins, #34 Offense, #46 Defense, CW loss > down + down + down + down = DOWN
2010, 5 wins, #94 Offense, #86 Defense, CW loss > down + down + down + down = DOWN
2011, 3 wins, #73 Offense, #84 Defense, CW loss > down + up? + up? = down = DOWN
If you want to consider moving from 94 to 73 and 86 to 84 an improvement, I will let you polish that turd; however the overall season result was a down year. That is how I see it, I have shown you where my conclusion comes from and it holds water.
Good banter on this one fellas…
Tagup says:
Jun 8, 2012
Well..ok..by somehow including civil war results you have come to a conclusion that isn’t backed by your statistics…shall we include ticket sales and attendence? Bottom line…you want to think OSU is declining fine but the criteria that you started this conversation with does not support your hypothisis….the mere fact that both O and D national ranking last year were better than the previous year makes your 5 year statement invalid.
Jerry2005 says:
Jun 8, 2012
94 up to 73 offense and 86 to 84 defense, staggering improvements. Keep polishing that turd Tag. If you really think 2011 was an improvement over 2010(or any of the previous 5) we will just have to agree to disagree.
Beavrob says:
Jun 8, 2012
Jerry, perhaps you are not aware that OSU played 14 games in 2006. If the 2007 and 2008 teams had played 14, they could easily have won 10 as well, so it is unfair to consider those years “down” for that. Besides, non-conference SOS is not part of your analysis, and the Beavs non-conference slate was MUCH tougher in 07 and 08, that is why I only compare conference wins/losses from year to year.
Why are most of your “ups” question marks??? Does that mean it doesn’t really count? I find that suspicious…
Also, the Beavs WON the Civil War in 2007, at Autzen, so that should change 2007 to an “even”.
Anyways, thanks for showing how you came to your conclusion. I disagree with it, but at least we can agree to disagree on that.
Jerry2005 says:
Jun 9, 2012
I put question marks on the ups in 2011 (only, not most years). I did that because we did improve statistically by a very minimal margin and I don’t consider going form 86 to 84 on defense and 94 to 73 an improvement, especilly when we only won 3 games.
Bob says:
Jun 5, 2012
Tyner is a track guy pure and simple. We don’t need another back with hammy issues. My source who is very close to Aloha athletics is that he does not have a football mindset and is injury plagued, let’s all
Move on from from this overrated kid…
Dan Michelson says:
Jun 5, 2012
Your sources are jacked up. Tyner will likely make an excellent college running back and I would LOVE to get him to Corvallis. You sound like sore grapes.
Tommy K says:
Jun 5, 2012
What the heck are “sore grapes”?
Tagup says:
Jun 5, 2012
It’s what Little League catchers get when they don’t wear a cup……
jerry2005 says:
Jun 5, 2012
Tyner will be a good college player if he stays healthy, I think your source is just trying to make you feel better about the loss.
Without a track team this kid was always a long shot. Shouldn’t feel burned by this just because he is an in state kid.
Beaverpaul says:
Jun 5, 2012
I am still of the opinion that if you can recruit and win at Pullman, you can sure do it at Corvallis. Now the Cougs have a really fine football coach who will spice things up, while we go with runs through the middle the first two downs and a pass on the third down followed by a punt. I think that Ed Ray has to start from the top and get rid of DeCarolis. Then have the new AD work on the football coaching staff. BDC doesn’t have the desire or cajoles to revamp the present staff. Riley may be a great guy, but when you are the leader you have to put personal things aside and do what is best for the team and University. He is too true to his buddies and he has several on the staff including the oc and dc, so he will never part with them unless forced. BDC has been a very week AD. Once he got the construction on Reser Stadium completed, I think he felt his monument to OSU and the world was done and that he could drop back and enjoy his final years at OSU without pressure. I know he has serious health problems and that probably hasn’t helped. But he is the very weak link at the top of our athletic problems. I, too, am damn fed up with all our coaches being out recruited by the fellows down the valley. Something needs to happen to turn this around. I think the turn around starts with the top dog.
Beaverpaul says:
Jun 5, 2012
Sorry, I think that is “cajones”.
SoCal Beaver says:
Jun 5, 2012
If they fire Riley, he will win a natty somewhere else. He is still young and turned down (reportedly and undisputed) Alabama and USC. You think he won’t fall up the coaching ladder? It will surpass drafting Sam Bowie and Greg Oden as the biggest sports blunders in Oregon’s history.
But, it will take 6 wins to save Langsdorf’s job most likely.
And USC barely scraped together a Spring Game, better tell them that their program is a joke, too.
dili says:
Jun 5, 2012
Bob my friend, who is your source concerning young Tyner (must be Bob DeCarolis or Mike Riley). Rivals recriting service has Tyner rated as the no. 1 runing back at his position in the country. Time you broaden your horizons as to your sources.
D-el says:
Jun 5, 2012
I hope recruits aren’t reading these comments.
hack says:
Jun 5, 2012
Great point D-el! Recruits are very impressionable. They are of the instant news generation, and when they follow a team they’re interested in through Twitter or local media…it makes sense they read the comments. Why would you attend a school that the local fan base doesn’t believe in? Let’s face it, Riley and BDC will be with OSU through this upcoming season. We can talk about their status and merit AFTER the upcoming football season. Until then, we have to support the team we love…Go Beavs!
beaverteeth says:
Jun 5, 2012
What the Beavers football team needs is a inspirational speech by chip kelly and a inspirational speech by george horton. I am being very sarcastic here but look what these coaches have been able to accomplish in a very short period of time. Ducks baseball team continues on to their super regional why the Beavers go home. Two out of four years they have finished ahead of the Beavers in the standings since they resurrected their baseball program in four short years. This is unacceptable.
BeaverDon says:
Jun 5, 2012
I think I will stay with Pat Casey. The Beavers have been to 4 Super Regionals under him, and won three. He takes a team that has a load of Freshman and has them taking LSU to extra innings this year in the Regional. And Pat did pretty well in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Beaver Conforto, the Pac-12 rookie of the year for two more seasons. There is plenty to look forward to from this Beaver Baseball program.
Tagup says:
Jun 5, 2012
And Casey developed the program from scratch…he didn’t have someone buy it for him……The reputation behind Beaver baseball was earned with hard work by players coaches and fan support….down south..not so much!
B_Squared says:
Jun 7, 2012
Wow, no commitments by june is now a measuring stick? DO you idiots realize that we had our best class ever last year and we didnt have any commits at this time. Recruiting isnt won by june. All that matters is february. Our last two classes have been 2 of our best in the program’s history.
And Langsdorf isnt calling plays this year, Riley is. The offense will be back and Banker had the defense on track last year. 7 wins next year
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Jun 7, 2012
Langsdorf is still calling the plays. Riley just sat in meeting for overall scrimmage direction so the offense ran plays again defensive plays he wanted in scrimmage times during the spring. In a way, he called the defensive plays, too.
Posibeavfan says:
Jun 7, 2012
Cliff,
Any thoughts on Jake Welch moving to the DL.
Cliff Kirkpatrick says:
Jun 8, 2012
He’s a big strong guy who would do well on DL. All the recruits brought in would not let him get on the field.
Beavrob says:
Jun 8, 2012
Posibeav – I was thinking the same thing! They need more size and strength at DT.