Hamilcar Rashed: 'It's been a grind this season'

Coming off a season that saw him break numerous school records and earn national recognition, expectations were sky-high for Oregon State redshirt senior outside linebacker Hamilcar Rashed heading into the 2020 campaign.

After leading the nation in tackles for loss (22.5) and tying for third in total sacks (14), it was anyone's guess how Rashed would follow up that special season after he elected to turn down the NFL Draft and return to Corvallis for the 2020 season.

Four games into the abbreviated 2020 slate of games and there's no question that something has been off with Rashed. Statistically speaking, he hasn't been himself as he has just 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick.

As far as why Rashed hasn't been as effective this season compared to last?

It's been a combination of opponents scheming to stop him while he himself has been dealing with some nagging injuries that have really zapped his ability to get into a rhythm and be himself on the field.

"I know I'm not making a lot of plays and there's a lot of things that I can do better," Rashed said. "There's some stuff going on behind closed doors that have impacted me, but it's not an excuse and I have to be better. I've been banged up and it's been a grind of a year."

Defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar, who's seen Rashed work through the combination of double-teams, chip blocks, and injuries this season, said the attention he draws still leaves room for the rest of the defense, particularly on the weak side, to be free runners and make plays.