BeaverBlitz.com - Is a Beaver recruiting tsunami imminent?

October 15, 2012

Angie Machado and Special Guest
BeaverBlitz.com Publisher

As Oregon State surges in the football polls, they are still waiting to make a splash in recruiting. Their best start since 1939 and highest ranking under Mike Riley are just starting to get noticed by recruits. Could Oregon St. experience a recruiting tsunami?

RECRUITING MOMENTUM - LAST YEAR VS. THIS YEAR

A 'recruiting tsunami' is a term recruitniks use to describe the combination of events that generates a surge of cornerstone commitments.

Last year the Beavers had a recruiting surge early in the season. Four star commitments like Issac Seumalo, Malik Gilmore, and Caleb Smith were paired with cornerstone athletes like Brett VanderVeen, Chris Brown, and Cleveland Wallace.

That momentum was built during a 2-season skid where the team struggled. Things change. And that's precisely what the Beavers are counting on for their Class of 2013.

JUNIOR COLLEGE IMPACT IMMINENT

The Beavers philosophy this season has changed, and they are focused on Junior College players to ensure next season has just as much potential as this season.

Cornerbacks like Steven Nelson (6-0, 185, Visalia, CA), Safeties like Pat Martin (6-1, 205, Yuma, AZ) and Defensive Tackles like Edwin Delva (6-3, 290, Lancaster, CA) are taking a hard look at Oregon State. They should. The Beavers are playing well on defense and the staff has a knack for putting guys in the NFL because their system is built for it.

Most importantly there is immediate playing time available for Junior College athletes willing to work hard. Nelson, Martin and Delva fit the mold of past success stories the Beavers have had.

Mark Banker and his defensive staff know they can't afford to come up empty-handed. Nelson is committed to Georgia, but he might be swayed to play in the Pac-12 where it's a pass-first mentality. Delva should like the fact the entire Beaver Defense begins with the play of the DTs.

DOES WINNING CONTRIBUTE TO CORNERSTONE COMMITMENTS?

Beaver Nation wants to know when the on-field success converts to recruiting success with cornerstones. Unfortunately there isn't a direct correlation. The Beavers struggled last season on the field and built one of the best recruiting classes in modern history. This year, the success on the field has yet to translate into wins on the recruiting trail, but that could soon change.

We've consulted a few experts close to the program, and they shared their opinions.

One reason for the slow recruiting start is having so few home games early in the season. The Beavers have plenty of home games in the second half of the season to show recruits why a college town is more fun than a city college (most of the town is age 30 and under). But with only two home games early, it has hampered the staff's ability to bring prospects in early.

Expect to see the number of official visitors increase as the recruit's front doors open more often to the Beaver staff. There will be cornerstones among them.

Another reason for the slower start in recruiting is the Beaver approach to recruiting. Mike Riley's philosophy is based on a low pressure sales tactic where the staff gets to know the athlete and his family. Other programs in the Pac-12 (see anyone with 16+ commits) like to use pressure tactics to get a commitment.

Riley's approach has another benefit. It's easier to poach committed players from other programs that employ pressure tactics.

The month of January could see the current success translated into a record number of poaching attempts. Historically UCLA and Arizona are targets because of their hard sell, but this year Cal could find themselves in a tricky place if their staff is unstable.

An off-season set back that slowed recruiting was the loss Secondary Coach Keith Heyward just as he entered his prime. He was one of the better recruiting coaches, and he was replaced by Rod Perry who has helped contribute to successful play by the cornerbacks.

Perry hasn't been identified by recruits during interviews as someone that is making his presence felt. It will take him at least a year to build relationships with West Coast coaching staffs and find his voice with recruits. This isn't a natural transition for many NFL coaches, and Perry may surprise us in December or January.

The final reason the Beavers could see a recruiting tsunami hit is Social Media. As more athletes have interest in Oregon State it generates more tweets, Facebook posts, and online excitement. The winning this season has already created a wave of online attention with the In-N-Out Burger buzz and Coach Riley has also been featured on numerous National radio shows.

As the current commitments get more excited and future commits begin to pledge to Riley's staff, the Beavers will get a boost of recruiting help on the Social Networks. Brandin Cooks was a great example of a kid that helped bring other athletes to Oregon State after committing.

Will a 'recruiting tsunami' hit Corvallis? The conditions appear to be building and surges will come, but like any tsunami it's anyone's guess when it will hit…if ever. Hold tight Beaver Nation, every win increases the chances of recruiting success.

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