BeaversEdge.com has attended every fall camp practice, and there have been players - young and old - that have stepped up and surprised us.
Former Oregon State running back and BeaversEdge.com football analyst Marcus Greaves takes a look at five guys that he did not have high expectations for but have performed very well.
Below are the "player cards" for when each of the surprising players were high school recruits
Rundown: Payne has caught my attention every practice. He is a true run-stopper and playmaker for the Oregon State defense. He plays fast, downhill, and carries a chip on his shoulder. He is the kind of player OSU's defense needs, especially when facing teams like Washington, Stanford, and Colorado. These teams have very dangerous backfields but having a player like Payne to overpower blockers and lay a big hit could be a major tool in order for the Beavers to get a win against any of those teams.
Though it doesn't look like Payne will start for the CSU game, he has made his case throughout fall camp. I am expecting him take the starting job within the first couple of games.
Rundown: What the most impressive thing is about Delp is his footwork and speed - both have improved tremendously. He has been pushing Lauina and Lavaka to elevate their games. Delp is an all around baller and will continue to compete to play. OSU should be very grateful for a player like Delp. Players like this makes everyone's game better.
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Rundown: He's been the most impressive young player this camp hands down. Tyler came in as a true freshman and already he understands schemes and the playbook inside and out. He carries himself on the field you would mistake him as a three year veteran who is battling for starting spot. Tyler has good hands, footwork, and most importantly, he can block.
He has serious play making ability that was put on display in Bend. With Colorado State coming up, the big question is, who is going to be getting carries? Because this guy has shaken up the running back group and made a serious case to get the share of the sugar.
Rundown: This young receiver stands around 5-foot-5 and 140-pounds but has some potential. What caught my attention when watching Flemings was that his playing style was very similar to Victor Bolden's. As Beaver fans know, Bolden was a true weapon anywhere you put him, and Flemings could do the same.
I've seen his speed that makes you open your eyes a little wider and wider each time he has the ball. With speed like that, he is the type of player that you just give the ball to in open space and let him do his thing. The only question I have is how are the coaches going to develop this player? Do they put more size on him for his benefit? Or do they keep him the same size as a true speedster?
Rundown: Physical. This dude is physical. Dunn is too strong for receivers to block, too quick for running backs and lineman to block, and too good in his coverage to try him on a deep ball. As only a freshman, Dunn has forced the coaching staff to place him in the cornerback rotation due to the fact that this kid has just been balling.
His technique improved tremendously over the course of OSU's time in Bend. He has become fluent in his backpedal, his communication skills with the other defensive players has skyrocketed, and with a killer instinct at cornerback, he's only got hungry for more. I think Dunn can be the next big time cornerback for Oregon State.
