In this week’s Oregon Statemailbag, Nick Daschel of The Oregonian/OregonLive responds to queries from readers on Beaver athletics.
As usual, you may contact Nick [email protected] with any mailbag questions.
Let’s get started:
On Wednesday, I saw that all of the OSU Facebook signees were three stars. Not very long ago, obtaining two-starred players was regarded as a significant accomplishment. Do the stars have the same meaning as they did ten to fifteen years ago? Or should we be encouraged by that? — @mynwexperience
Do I believe that star inflation has occurred over time? Most likely. The same as high school grade inflation. Due to the increased interest in recruiting, there are far more recruiting specialists evaluating players now than there were ten or twenty years ago. However, your claim that Oregon State was a two-star university ten or twenty years ago isn’t entirely true. In 2004 and 2014, Oregon State signed 17 and 19 3-star players, respectively, according to Rivals. Oregon State averaged 15 3-stars every class from 2015 to 2017, the terrible Gary Andersen era.
What is the reason behind Kefense Hynson’s prolonged retention? It has been years since OSU had a strong, much alone a good, group of receivers. Although it appears that the players adore him, we might use a better receivers coach. Travis P.
Did you not enjoy the 2023 receiving class that included Silas Bolden and Anthony Gould? Hynson caught 145 receptions for 2,047 yards and 18 touchdowns while serving as Isaiah Hodgins’ receivers coach in 2018 and 2019. Under Hynson, five OSU receivers have enrolled in NFL preseason or rookie camps. But it doesn’t mean Oregon State couldn’t perform better. But with Hynson as coach, it’s not like the Beavers haven’t produced at receiver. The group was young, but this season was poor. For 2025, there are grounds for cautious optimism.
I just finished listening to the year’s last podcast, and it was enjoyable as usual. Thank you for the Beaver lecture, Isaac (Hodgins) and you. I typically listen to you guys while working out at the gym, and you keep me focused. I’m looking forward to seeing you two next season. Dick P.
After listening to 14 episodes of the pod this season, I’m happy to help you become jacked in the gym. Isaac was excellent. Many individuals have approached me to compliment his understanding. We’ll see roughly a Year 2 because the next season is nine months long. but optimistic.
What if the Cougars/Beavers rivalry game was called We’re Not Your Buddies Bowl from now on? I really enjoy it! Perhaps in this manner, they can improve one another? They will be bound together behind the scenes, but that’s business. This rivalry is necessary for OSU and WSU. Mike K.
You can’t force a rivalry, in my opinion. Although the OSU-WSU series is significant, I have never thought of this as a fierce rivalry. For now, Oregon continues to be Oregon State’s adversary. I am aware that this is not a widely held belief at the moment.
It appears that the PAC-12 is deliberately attempting to wait and just select the top one or two schools, as there are four strong candidates for the eighth football PAC-12 place (Texas State, Tulane, Memphis, and UTSA, most likely in that order). Why? It seems a little hazardous for the PAC to leave this round of realignment at or close to the bare minimum of eight colleges, while the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, and ACC have 18, 16, 16, and 15 schools, respectively. Even if Texas State and UTSA aren’t thought of as highly as the others, their presence in Texas may be worth their initial lack of renown or other benefits. In the event that someone tries to leave for a better offer later, wouldn’t the PAC-12 be better off increasing the number of members to at least 11? Zac P.
Future realignment is the reason the Pac-12 intends to maintain fewer schools than the Power leagues. In the words of OSU athletic director Scott Barnes, the Pac-12 wants to stay agile. The Pac-12 cannot commit to being a conference for many years to come, considering the amount of churn that may occur in FBS conferences in the future. I anticipate adding one to three additional teams, for a total of no more than ten football schools.
Many individuals have inquired about Wes Edens at Nvidia in relation to Jensen. Given that he owns both the Milwaukee Bucks and Aston Villa in the Premier League, it is clear that he is an avid sports lover. Are you aware of his involvement with OSU athletics? — @Scoodis1foot2
I questioned a couple folks if Eden has been active from a donor perspective after hearing his name in a recent conversation. If I receive specific information, I will report back.
How much would it cost to acquire a reliable portal quarterback? Five hundred thousand? — Carson D.
Depending on your search, yes. You might get a bargain if the quarterback is a qualified FCS player hoping to jump to the FBS. View Cam Ward’s transfer from Incarnate Word to Washington State two years ago. But an FBS quarterback with a track record of success? The minimum is half a million.
Nick, is there any chance that DJU gets a medical redshirt exemption and transfers back to Oregon State for one last season to be closer to his brother? Bennett
Uiagalelei could apply for a medical redshirt, but it s unclear whether it would be approved. Uiagalelei played five games before injuring his hand this season, one over the limit of what s generally accepted as a redshirt season. As to whether Uiagalelei might return to OSU, never say never, as is the case with everything in college athletics. However, it doesn’t seem likely.
Will Oregon State commit a quarterback? — @pieper_fritz
Quarterback Tristan Ti a, a three-star recruit from Amador Valley High in Pleasanton, Calif., will join Oregon State s class during the February signing period. I have it from a source that Ti a is headed to Corvallis.
What s your best guess? How many current QB s on the roster will not be around next year and how many new QB s should be added for next seasons roster? — @2024SportsGuy
As of today, Ben Gulbranson is a wild card. Coach Trent Bray said they were talking late this week about his future. Gabarri Johnson has announced he ll return. Gevani McCoy is likely headed to the transfer portal. Kallen Gutridge is back. As mentioned above, Ti a will join the program this summer. Regardless of whether Gulbranson returns, look for OSU to add one quarterback through the transfer portal.
How has the number of Oregon high school football recruits changed over the years at OSU, and will there be an increase going forward? Bart W
It s steady. Oregon recruits are never going to be the backbone of Oregon State football. Oregon simply doesn t have the population to produce an abundance of FBS-level players. This year, OSU signed two in-state recruits West Linn s Jake Normoyle, Crane s Cody Siegner and you ll probably see a few preferred walk-ons sign in February. That is the norm each year.
What players do you see as the highest risk of entering the transfer portal? — @BensPapa
So far, we know DJ Wesolak and Andre Jordan Jr. are planning to enter the transfer portal when it opens Monday. We expect McCoy to leave. I m not going to speculate on others. But could OSU lose 8 to 12 more players. That doesn t mean the program is collapsing. Most of those headed to the portal are doing so after being told during the coaches exit meeting that their Oregon State future is limited.
What is your thought on the future of the O-Line after seeing 4 of the 5 starts graduate? — @Jackokelly116
With only center Van Wells returning, it will be an interesting offseason. Tyler Voltin and Jacob Strand showed what they could do in September, but they were sidelined with injuries for most of the season. Not sure as to their availability come fall of 2025. Luka Vincic got some snaps this season, so he ll get a look. As for the rest of the roster, I d only be guessing as the media isn t allowed to watch practice. But expect OSU to be active in the portal looking for offensive linemen. It won t surprise me if the Beavers add three or four transfers.
Is anyone planning to write a book or lengthy story on this season, particularly for WBB? It would be quite interesting to see why coach Scott stayed, prepared, and made it through the season knowing that it was maybe going to be his toughest year coaching. Second, any chance some of the WBB players who left may return? It looks like a few are not getting a lot of playing time. Jeffrey W
It would to be written by someone looking at it as a labor of love, not for profit. Can t imagine it would sell many copies, as my sense is people are ready to move on. As for players returning, never say never, but I d say no. The door isn t closed, but players rarely return after transferring.
–Nick Daschelcan be reached at 360-607-4824,[email protected]@nickdaschel.
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