Wyoming ATH Luke Talich Previews Oregon State Official Visit

Among Oregon State's large group of visitors on Saturday for their rivalry matchup against Oregon is Cody (WY) athlete Luke Talich. Listed by Rivals as a safety, the 6-foot-3, 190-pound Talich is being recruited by the Beavers as a linebacker.

Prior to taking his official visit to Corvallis, BeaversEdge caught up with Talich to discuss his interest in the Beavers, his recruitment, and his recruitment timeline going forward.

For Talich, his relationship with the Beavers coaching staff is as long as any relationship he has with any coaching staff. "Oregon State was the first Division I school to offer me a scholarship opportunity," Talich told BeaversEdge. "I am lucky enough to have a head coach in high school that has some really amazing ties to some big time coaches, so I was able to go to a camp at Weber State this summer where Coach (Jake) Cookus met us to watch me test and run around and stuff. And then the next day coach (Trent) Bray called and offered me," he added.

"Then I went down to Corvallis this summer for an unofficial visit, and the coaches were so great to me and I really appreciated the type of people they were. Throughout this whole recruiting process they have been very consistent, then coach Cookus actually got to come to our first round of the playoffs in Cody so that was pretty special and meant a lot for him to come all the way out to Wyoming to watch me play."

That relationship with special teams coordinator Jake Cookus has been a big one for Talich in his recruitment. "Coach Cookus has been great through it all. He was the first one to call me last spring, and I remember talking on the phone for over half an hour with him just about advice going on to the next level and things like that," he said. "So he has definitely been a great mentor and someone I know I can go to whenever I need anything. So I would say that our relationship is very strong for sure."

Not only has Talich been impressed and blown away by the relationship-building the coaching staff has put the time into but he's also been impressed by what Jonathan Smith and his program are building in Corvallis. "They are also building something special in Corvallis," he said. "They have been on the uprise ever since coach smith came in. And their defense is really good. So it would be pretty awesome to be a part of that!"

He would go on to elaborate on his thoughts about the program under Jonathan Smith and the development of the program overall. "It's pretty cool to watch the Beavers play," Talich said. "They play with so much emotion and intensity, especially on the defensive side of the ball. They almost beat USC and they have really been in every single game they have played," head added.

"Coach Bray has done an incredible job getting the defense ready each and every week, and I like how the players seem to always be playing with a chip on their shoulder. It’s very clear that the program is still on the rise and it would be fun to be a part of that no doubt."

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It's also a defense that Talich can see himself being a part of in the future, though acknowledges that he still has some physical development to go. "I think I definitely have to develop physically wherever I go. But Oregon State sees me as a linebacker. So I would definitely need to put some more meat on my bones and learn the linebacker position," he said. "But hopefully I would be able to play in some form, on special teams, or however else I could help. But I think my style of play would fit into the way the Beavs play for sure!"

After his visit to Corvallis this weekend, Talich will also take official visits to Utah, Washington State, and Wyoming. He doesn't have a concrete decision date set for a commitment but would like to have his decision done by the early signing period next month but won't rush to a decision either.

On top of his offers from Oregon State, Utah, Washington State, and Wyoming, Tailch also has a PWO offer from Notre Dame.