CORVALLISTRent Walker was a walk-on when he first arrived to Oregon State in 2021, but he will eventually abandon the institution as much as possible.
A scholarship and a spot among Oregon State’s record holders in 2024 had long been won by the Beaverton High graduate. Walker is on pace to rank in the top 10 for the school in a single season with 65 receptions in 10 games.
Walker, a junior redshirt, needs to catch nine passes in his final two games in order to place in Oregon State’s top 10. Walker has a slim chance of being OSU’s 14th receiver to reach 1,000 yards in a season with 713 receiving yards.
Being the top guy was my goal. Regarding his strategy going into 2024, Walker stated, “I knew someone had to step up in the receiver room, and I wanted it to be me.” My ultimate objective was to leave a legacy for future generations and have my name inscribed on Oregon State football.
Oregon State (4-6) at Washington State (8-2)
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When:
Saturday, Nov. 23
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Time:
4 p.m. PT
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Where:
Reser Stadium
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TV channel:
The CW Network
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Stream:
Fubo
(free trial) or
DirecTV Stream
(free trial). Streaming broadcasts for this game will be available on these streaming services locally in Oregon and Washington, but may not be available outside of the Pacific Northwest, depending on your location.
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Oregon State football 2024 season schedule, scores
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This season, Walker is the Beavers’ undisputed number one pick. Walker’s 65 receptions are 46 more than those of Jeremiah Noga, OSU’s next-best receiver, who has 19. Since 2019, when Isaiah Hodgins caught 86 passes, 54 more than the next best (Champ Flemings, 32), OSU has had the most disparity between the No. 1 and No. 2 since then.
What provides? “I think those dudes are really playing better than I probably thought going into the (season),” said receivers coach Kefense Hynson earlier in November, expressing his optimism about the Beavers’ receiving group. However, over half of the group’s 120 receptions through 10 games have come from Walker.
Receiver is frequently not a position that yields results right away, especially on a team that relies heavily on the running game like Oregon State. Unless they are able to block, receivers do not enter the field. Receivers typically don’t hone that skill in high school.
In 2024, Walker stated that the principles he learned over his first three years at Oregon State are coming together. During the off-season, Walker worked on small skills I didn’t think I could perform.
Even though Fense isn’t speaking to you directly, you still need to take the coaching points and be attentive and focused throughout such meetings. According to Walker, the most important thing is to avoid repeating the same error twice.
Walker notices two plays in particular. Walker’s longest of the season, a 43-yarder against San Jose State, was his favorite.
“That deep one,” Walker remarked, “because those are the best.”
Walker beat the defenders deep and then dropped the throw from quarterback Gevani McCoy against San Diego State, but the other was not so good. It was a brilliantly executed 45-yarder.
“I was haunted by that one for a long time,” Walker recalled. That same ball was tossed to me in practice when I returned because I needed it.
Walker’s success this season has mostly come from converting third downs and finding an opening in the defense. Walker also exhibits remarkable consistency. In six of OSU’s ten games, he had at least seven receptions; his season-high of 11 came against San Jose State.
But this week, Walker isn’t particularly focused in his numbers. Before Saturday’s home finale against Washington State, the Beavers (4-6) are riding a five-game losing run. Before the game on Senior Day, the school will honor 19 players.
“We want to win so we can send them off on a high note,” Walker stated.
The contact information for Nick Daschel is 360-607-4824, [email protected], or @nickdaschel.
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