7/30/2022 football Edit

BeaversEdge Top 25 For 2022: No. 1 Omar Speights

Brenden Slaughter • BeaversEdge

Publisher

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In the weeks leading up to the start of fall camp, BeaversEdge.com will be counting down the Top 25 Oregon State football players on the 2022 roster.

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MORE: WATCH: Jonathan Smith Pac-12 Media Day Presser | What Jonathan Smith Said At Pac-12 Media Day | What TX WR Montrel Hatten Will Bring To OSU

Omar Speights

Bio

No. 36

6-foot-1, 236-pounds

Inside Linebacker

Junior

Crescent Valley (OR) HS

Philadelphia, Penn.

2021 stats: 89 tackles with five tackles for loss, half a sack, and two interceptions

2021 Recap

The 2021 season was Speights' best to date as he started all 13 games at inside linebacker and finished second on the team in total tackles with 89.

His 89 tackles ranked 7th in the conference...

He tallied a season-best 12 tackles in the opener against Purdue and recorded nine tackles in four different contests. His two interceptions (tied for team-high) came against Idaho and Washington State.

For his efforts, he was named All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and Phil Steele All-Pac-12 Fourth Team.

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2022 Outlook

With Avery Roberts off to the NFL, Speights will assume the top leadership position at inside 'backer and should be in line to have his best season in Corvallis.

Having played in 32 games (25 starts) and boasting career marks of 225 career tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions, three pass deflections, and a fumble recovery, Speights is the total package when it comes to experience, playmaking, and leadership.

A Pac-12 First-Team preseason selection, Speights will be counted on to be the heart of Oregon State's defense while also mentoring the up-and-coming inside linebackers.

He's another one of those guys who I anticipate will thrive in Trent Bray's new aggressive defense scheme, and all indications point to a big season for No. 36...