Advertisement
football Edit

A look at spring depth on offense

Michael Philipp returns
The Oregon State football team opens up Spring Football Camp in exactly two weeks. Head Coach Mike Riley sat down with members of the media to discuss the latest developments with each position group heading into camp. We'll start things off with a look at the offense.
Advertisement
The biggest question mark heading into Camp is at tailback. Riley does not have an entrenched starter and will be evaluating the group hoping to see one of the young guys grab the reigns.
"We have good depth," Riley said. "While Jovan (Stevenson) will be limited, but the other guys, we're just going to let them play. Jordan Jenkins will feel a lot better than he did last fall and Storm Woods will jump right into the mix."
"It is a big question mark, but it is a good group," Riley continued. "Sorting it out will be important for us as a staff."
Perhaps more worrisome is the Beavers complete lack of depth on the offensive line heading into spring drills.
With Grant Enger and Colin Kelly seeing limited action during the Spring, the Beavers are left with eight serviceable offensive linemen, three of which are walk-ons.
Riley said the line up would like this:
Left Tackle: Justin Addie
Left Guard: Joshua Andrews
Center: Roman Sapolu/Jake Welch
Right Guard: Michael Beaton/David Vieru
Right Tackle: Michael Philipp/Derek Neilsen
"There is some good young talent in Addie, Welch, and Beaton," Riley said. "They will get a lot of good work (during the spring) and the return of Philipp is big for us. We aren't looking at how it will look in the Fall, but on individual development."
Touted recruit, Isaac Seumalo and JUCO transfer Stan Hasiak will be on campus for Fall Camp and Riley said that Spring evaluation will also be used to see where those two could play.
"Isaac could play any of the three positions and we'll look at what we have after the Spring and place him in the best place for him and the team," Riley said. "Hasiak could be plugged in at either guard or tackle position as well."
The coaches know what they have at quarterback, where sophomore Sean Mannion returns. Junior Cody Vaz is listed at number two with Jack Lomax and Richie Harrington rounding out the depth chart.
With the graduation of Joe Halahuni, the Beavers tight ends will have a different look going forward. There is a great deal of young talent in the mix and 2012 signee Caleb Smith will be entering Oregon State early to take part in this spring's workout.
"We're deeper," Riley said about the tight ends as a unit. "We'll have a senior in Colby Prince and a lot of young talent. Connor Hamlett played some last year and Tyler Perry had a great off-season. The young guys need to come in and have good springs."
Riley is also excited to see what redshirt freshman Kellen Clute will bring this spring as well as how quickly Smith will pick up the Beavers offense.
Wide receiver looks to be the position of strength for the Beavers as they have a solid group returning to the mix. Jordan Bishop is the only player who will be limited in his participation as he continues to rehab from foot surgery.
The depth chart heading into camp looks like this:
Flanker: Brandin Cooks/Micah Hatfield
Split End: Markus Wheaton/Richard Mullaney/Geno Munoz/Jeff Bedbury
Slot: Obum Gwacham/Kevin Cummings/Mitch Singler/Kramer Farrell
"I think it's a good group," Riley said. "We've been talking a lot about Gwacham, because of his potential and the progress that he's made in the offseason."
Click Here to view this Link.p>
Advertisement