Beavs add JC lineman

The Oregon State coaches are off on the road recruiting athletes for the 2016 class, but that doesn't mean that they won't look at other talented prospects who may be able to contribute earlier. Oakland (California) Laney College offensive lineman Sosaia Tauaho is the latest to sign his financial aid agreement with the plans of joining the Beavers next month.

Tauaho's story is a good one.

His college playing career actually began in 2009 when he enrolled at Laney College. After a year, he left on his LDS church mission returning home in December 2012. He rejoined his Laney squad in January 2013, before being sidelined with a back injury.

"I went back to school in January 2013 and hurt my back and needed surgery," Tauaho said. "I redshirted in 2013, but fell into a great depression and gained a ton of weight. I January 2014 I started my rehab and got back into playing shape by the 2014 season and I played well. It was such a blessing to be back on the field."

Another big life event happened in August 2014, right before the season at Laney began, Sosaia got married. His wife was born and raised in Oregon and he always felt that Oregon State would be a good fit for him.

The former Oregon State staff started recruiting him this past fall, but he was told then that the Beavers didn't need offensive linemen. His lone offer came from Arkansas State Monticello, but they pulled the offer before he could commit.

"I just felt when the offer was pulled that I was dissed again," he said.

Things have a way of working out however.

"This was meant to be," Tauaho said. You could hear the smile across the phone line.

"Coach Baldwin stopped by to check me out a few weeks ago and after the first two plays that he saw he said that he saw something special in me," he said. "He kept in contact with me, but told me to be open with other colleges. I told Coach Baldwin that Oregon State was the perfect fit for me. I just love Oregon."

Sosaia and his wife visited campus today and spent time with Coach Andersen. Then came the offer and the signing of the paperwork.

He still needs to complete one online class to gain acceptance into Oregon State. He plans to jump on that and will report to campus on June 22.

He has two years to play two, however he feels good about the chance of petitioning for a third year because of his back injury.

"Me and my wife, this is what we want," he said. "This is just such a blessing from God and I'm looking forward to balling out for the Oregon State Beavers."