Cliff Kirkpatrick

Word is spreading about the Youtube video of Oregon State DT Stephen Paea benching 225 pounds 44 times. That’s the weight NFL scouts use to see how strong players are.

Well check out the above video for yourself. Let’s compare the reps here. The top bench press from OSU’s pro day last week were in the low 20s by LB Bryant Cornell (24) and OG Gregg Peat (23).

LB Keaton Kristick should be an NFL draft pick in April and he got it up 18 times. Last year OG Adam Speer did 30 reps and S Al Afalava did 29.

The top performers at this year’s NFL combine were OL Mitch Petrus of Arkansas with 45 and DL Jeff Owens of Georgia with 44. The closest others were 38 and 39, and then it falls off.

Coach Mike Riley said Paea was projected high when looking to leave for the NFL this year, but he went into the deal wanting to come back to the Beavers.

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I ran into the head strength coach for the Oregon State football team, Bryan Miller. He and his wife Jen had a baby girl on Jan. 31. Miller is bouncing between his growing family and whipping the Beavers into shape.

He said players to look for making major improvements are DE Gabe Miller, RB Will Darkins, S Cameron Collins, OL Ben Motter and CB Brandon Hardin.

Greyshirts who impressed him have been WR Kevin Cummings and WR Obum Gwacham. “Both of them are extremely athletic,” Miller said. “Obum, that kid, for being new to the program has picked up everything we are doing at an extremely high rate. He’s proficient in what we are doing. He’s very coachable.”

Miller is still running his volunteer special forces-style work out on Saturday mornings with the players. Last week 47 players showed up on their off day.

On a side note, Miller sees the players more than the coaches at this time of the year. So I asked him who the leaders of this team are. He said LB Keith Pankey (before the injury) and DT Stephen Paea were pushing teammates hard on defense.

Offensively, C Alex Linnenkohl and OT Mike Remmers are at the forefront. Sophomore QB Ryan Katz, who is expected to be the starter in the fall, has come on strong taking the reins from Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao.

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Oregon State DT Stephen Paea is NOT making himself eligible to the NFL draft, according to OSU. He will be back for his senior season with the Beavers.

Here’s more on Paea in my football notebook in Thursday’s GT.

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