Oregon State Spring Analysis: Special Teams
Now that OSU’s spring practice is in the books, BeaversEdge.com is diving into each of the Beavers' position groups post-spring and priming you for the fall by breaking it all down.
Catch up on our preview spring analysis stories in the links below.
Oregon State Spring Analysis: Defensive Line | Safeties | Outside Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Inside Linebackers | Tight Ends | Wide Receivers | Offensive Line | Running Backs
Who's Gone?
Garrett Owens - K (Iowa State transfer)
Ryan Navarro - LS
Who's Back?
Jordan Choukair, SO - K
Adley Rutschman, SO - K
Connor Kelsey, JR - LS
Nick Porebski, SR - P
I really like the returning group of guys here for OSU. Connor Kelsey has been waiting for his chance to be OSU’s long snapper, and I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from him in spring practices. The real question mark here is Jordan Choukair. Garrett Owens was plagued with inconsistency in his three years in Corvallis, and Choukair replaced him for field goal duties late in the season. Choukair had an up and down spring overall, and it will be interesting to see how he and Rutschman handle the competition in the fall.
Who's Coming In?
None.
The Beavers are surely set on either Choukair or Rutschman to be their kicker as they don’t have any recruits coming in, and the same goes for Porebski. Porebski is the only punter listed on the roster and the Beavers will most definitely be counting on him to produce in his senior season. Also, OSU doesn’t have a punter coming in this recruiting class. That means that in 2018 the Beavers will be starting a true freshman or will have to dip into the JC ranks to find their next punter. Definitely something to keep an eye on.
Spring Analysis
Heading into OSU’s early spring session, the biggest position group battles to watch were kicker and punt/kick returner. With Adley Rutschman busy with baseball, Choukair settled in as the incumbent kicker and had an up and down spring. There was a day where I saw him go 4-4 from 25, 35, 40, and 48 yards respectively. Then a week later, I saw him go 0-4 from the same distances, so it’s hard to get a read on him. When Rutschman returns to the football field in the fall, I expect him to challenge Choukair for full time kicking duties. Rutschman currently owns the Oregon state record for longest field goal at 63 yards, so he clearly has the leg strength.
It was a bit of a rotating door at punt and kick returner in the spring session. Victor Bolden left a massive void at the position, and I think OSU is still experimenting with it. Artavis Pierce, Jaylynn Bailey, and Trevon Bradford all seem like solid candidates to take over the duties, in addition to newcomers Quantino Allen and Arex Flemmings. Both guys are extremely fast and could step in as utility type players right away. But right now, thanks to the rotating door, it’s anybody’s guess who Gary Andersen puts out there come Colorado State.
Spring Superlatives
MVP, Nick Porebski: The Australian native earns the nod of spring MVP because of his improvement in the offseason. We seem to forget about Porebski at times and people do that because people only think about a punter when he makes a mistake or is punting. He has been consistent in his first two years in Corvallis, but it seems like he got stronger in the offseason. His punts were higher and further this spring than I have seen them before, and I think he could evolve into an elite punter for his last season in the Pac-12.
Most uncertain, Adley Rutschman: Will Rutschman challenge for full time kicking duties? The dual sport dynamo burst onto the scene in Corvallis in the fall for Gary Andersen, but Pat Casey seems to have Rutschman playing his best sport. Will Rutschman continue to play both sports, or will he choose to stick to baseball? So far, the young freshman has done a marvelous job of managing between both sports and I anticipate him doing it again next season. He has been away from football for awhile now, and the question is, will he be able to possibly steal full time place kicking duties from Choukair?
Projected Depth Chart
Kicker: Jordan Choukair (Field Goals) and Adley Rutschman (Kickoffs)
Punter: Nick Porebski
Long snapper: Connor Kelsey
Holder: Nick Porebski
Returner: Arex Flemings, Trevon Bradford, or Artavis Pierce