Cliff Kirkpatrick

Now that Lyle Moevao was denied his sixth year, it’s time to look at the numbers on the Oregon State football team roster for the coming season.

With Moevao done and LB David Pa’aluhi gone to join the military, there are 83 scholarships out including the incoming players.

Another is out there for WR Reggie Dunn, but his academic status is questionable until he’s actually in OSU. That leaves at least one, maybe two for walk-ons to earn a scholarship.

The top candidate would be starting OG Grant Johnson. Another one of the walk-on OLs, Michael Lamb or Ellis Burke, may earn one if he claims the other starting OG spot. Another deserving walk-on would be WR Aaron Nichols.

Chances are the Beavers won’t pickup a late JC guy, but you never know. The five greyshirts are greyshirting for a reason – academics or too many people in a position.

Here’s the class breakdown for scholarships: Seniors (19), juniors (15), sophomores (22), redshirt freshmen (12) and true freshmen (15).

So by deduction, expect at least 15-18 recruits to be signed in the class of 2011 to go with the five greyshirts.

OSU this weekend
It’s another busy weekend for OSU sports. Most of them are on the road. Only men’s hoops is in Corvallis today for the regular season finale against Washington.

The baseball team is in Surprise, Ariz. The track team is in Seattle for an NCAA last-chance qualifier. The gymnastics team had a miserable outing at LSU. Looks like some SEC judging, jet lag and too many alligator po’ boys got to them.

Women’s hoops has lost 17 straight. Last time it got this bad was Judy Spoelstra’s last season. And 6-11 isn’t a good start for softball. The Beavers usually pad their record in nonconference before it gets rough in the Pac-10.

Check out this interview with baseball catcher Andrew Susac. I love the baseball culture, since I grew up in it, as he points out he’s staying at OSU for three years. Good baseball players only use college to get them ready for the pros.

Beaver visions
Things are getting so crazy I truly am seeing beaver everywhere I go. I walk into the office this week and I see this below.

I didn’t know Benny was such a classy dresser. Actually, it’s my publisher Mike McInally with a beaver on his head.

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The Oregon State football team is in the calmest time of the year, but it’s still busy. Recruiting goes on all year. They do more recruiting than actually coaching the players.

On the heels signing day, I wondered what goes into recruiting all throughout the year. So, I asked coach Mike Riley. Here’s a detailed story about what the Beavers do that ran in Monday’s GT. And check out the video from the latest recruiting dinner above.

“When you put it all together, it’s fun,” Riley said.

The Beavers are busy gathering information on the 2011 class. At the same time the coaches are prepping for spring football, which beings March 29.

“Now days are divided building our team (for the future) and getting ready for the spring,” Riley said. “We spend a couple hours on recruiting, then getting ready for spring practice. Days are normal work days right now, but with a lot to get done.”

And for those who love to follow the rival, here’s the latest on the crime spree going on down south here and here. I always thought Facebook would get people in trouble.

I can truly say; I don’t miss having to deal with off-the-field issues of this sport. 2005 was a wild year for the Beavers.

And if you missed it over the weekend, here’s a link to my Saturday story on what the Beavers are up to in the weightroom.

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RB Terron Ward signed his letter of intent with the Oregon State football team. He’s a 5-foot-7, 185-pounder from De La Salle High in Concord, Calif. Ward accepted a scholarship and a greyshirt opportunity, which means he’ll join the Beavers in January.

Ward is an all-purpose back who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. Rivals ranks him as a three-star athlete and the No. 23 prospect at his position in the country.

The Beavers didn’t sign him right away because of an abundance of ball carriers, including one signed for the coming season, and they are at the scholarship limit.

Greyshirting pushes Ward back a year and spreads out the RBs in difference classes. He’s the brother of former Oregon CB TJ Ward.

On a separate note, WR Markus Wheaton is not running track with the five other football players due to scheduling conflicts.

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