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Oregon State Spring Analysis: Wide Receivers

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

Hunter Jarmon is looking to have a breakout senior season
Hunter Jarmon is looking to have a breakout senior season (AP)
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Who's Gone?

Victor Bolden Jr

Paul Lucas

Bolden graduated and Paul Lucas decided to transfer to Arizona State to compete in their track program. Ever since Lucas arrived on campus, he struggled to find his niché in Gary Andersen’s system, and therefore, I don’t think the Beavers will struggle losing Lucas. However, with Bolden the Beavers are losing one of their leaders and most consistent playmakers. He led the Beavers in receiving yards and all-purpose yards this season and was also huge in terms of what he could do with the fly sweep. His production will be very hard to replace.

Who's Back?

Hunter Jarmon, SR

Jordan Villamin, SR

Xavier Hawkins, SR

Timmy Hernandez, JR

Seth Collins, JR

Trevon Bradford, SO

Of all the guys coming back, Jordan Villamin and Hunter Jarmon are the two that I think could combine to be one heck of a tandem in their senior seasons. Jarmon was arguably the best WR during the spring and will be looking to be a consistent playmaker for the first time in his career. Villamin, on the other hand, was one of 2016’s biggest disappointments. He salvaged the end of the season with a breakout game against Arizona, but if the Beavers are going to compete in the upper echelon of the Pac-12, this year, he needs to step up for his last go around.

Who's Coming In?

Aaron Short, Jr

Kolby Taylor, FR

Isaiah Hodgins, FR

Arex Flemings, FR

Quantino Allen, FR

Unlike many other position groups, I expect some of these guys to play impactful minutes right away as freshmen. After his breakout spring, Hodgins is all but guaranteed to play major snaps and perhaps even start. His size and strength give the Beavers an option they haven’t had in the passing game since Gary Andersen has been here. The other guy that I expect to play right away is Flemings. There has been some buzz that he might be the kick returner when he gets to campus based on his electric speed.

Can Jordan Villamin return to his 2015 production?
Can Jordan Villamin return to his 2015 production? (AP)

Spring Analysis

The biggest storyline from the spring was the emergence of Isaiah Hodgins. Hodgins had a quiet first week or so, but then exploded and made big plays all over the board. He also became a mainstay with the first team offense once he became more familiar with the offense. The other thing worth noting is that Seth Collins did not participate in spring practice due to recovery from his illness. When I caught up with Gary Andersen last month, he mentioned that there is a good possibility that Collins redshirts. However, he didn’t rule out that he could play in 2017 either, so that is something to keep an eye on.

And finally, the spring belonged to Hunter Jarmon. From the first day he made big play after big play and looked more comfortable than I have ever seen him on a practice field. Given how he played in the spring, and the question marks surrounding Collins, his play will be enough to earn him a starting job come August.

Spring Superlatives

MVP, Hunter Jarmon

Jarmon impressed everyone from the first days of practice where he made several incredible catches that made us media folk take notice. I asked him what was working well for him recently, and he told me that he needed to come out and impress everyone because it was his last rodeo. Well, Jarmon seems to be taking advantage of the rodeo so far. He was all over the field in both scrimmages and the spring game, making critical catches, and showing off his surprisingly deceptive speed. If Jarmon can play like he did in the spring come fall, he will have the potential to be a 1,000 yard receiver if the Beavers can get consistent QB play.

Biggest surprise, Isaiah Hodgins

I call Hodgins the biggest surprise simply because I didn’t expect his learning curve to be this short. Granted, none of us have seen him play a single game yet, but he is going to be a special player in Corvallis. When I watch him in practice, he reminds me of Brandin Cooks in the way where you could tell, he is going to play football for a very long time. He is that special.

Most underrated, Trevon Bradford

Bradford didn’t get the headlines in spring due to the incredible play of Jarmon and Hodgins, but Bradford’s role in 2017 could prove critical to the Beavers success. He is the heir to the fly sweep with Bolden’s departure, and we saw last season how important the jet sweep is to the Beavers offense. Xavier Hawkins could also see time running the sweep, but I expect Bradford to fly under the radar and make the key plays when the Beavers need them.

Projected Depth Chart

If we assume that Collins does not play this season, then this is how we think the wide receiver lineup will look.

Outside receivers: Jordan Villamin, Isaiah Hodgins

Inside receivers: Huner Jarmon, Trevon Bradford

Bench players that will provide depth: Timmy Hernandez, Xavier Hawkins, and Arex Flemmings.

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