Everything you need to know and what actually matters about the 2019 Oregon State Beaver recruiting class.
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It’s still going to take a whole lot of work for Jonathan Smith to get the talent in at Oregon State. It’s not a program that rocks the recruiting trail to begin with, and after struggling for the last several years, the task is just that much harder.
It’s a smaller class than last year’s, but it’s better. Everything about this program is geared towards taking forward steps and getting better. That’s the way it is for every team, but for this one, any improvement is massive.
Apparently, the Beavers would like to get into the backfield. Smith and the staff loaded up big time on pass rushing defensive ends, led by local product Omar Speights – who was a big part of things early in the process – and it just kept on going.
The skill guys aren’t there. After last year – with two quarterbacks, a ton of tight ends, and star RB Jermar Jefferson – there wasn’t much happening with this year’s class. There weren’t any quarterback, just one receiver, and another good-looking running back in Taron Madison.
Next year, the offensive line needs a lot more. The bodies haven’t been there in the first two classes under Smith, signing on just three this year.
There were a few good pickups on National Signing Day. Akili Arnold was the team’s best defensive back signing, and Thomas Sio out of Alaska is a ready-made offensive tackle.
There aren’t any superstar signings, but Speights is close, and Madison should help out Jefferson right away. DT Evan Bennett was a nice get away from Arizona.
This is a class that should set the foundation for the future. There aren’t a slew of quick fixes here, but there’s enough to push for depth chart spots and to work around to create a base for Smith.
