Oregon State’s secondary enters fall camp with plenty of bodies and plenty to sort out.
The Beavers are trying to replace a heavy chunk of last season’s production in the defensive backfield. Five of the top six tacklers from that group are gone, leaving Oregon State to rebuild around a small core of returning starters while figuring out the rest as camp opens on August 5.
Sailasa Vadrawale III and Trey Glasper are back as starters, and TJ Crandall returned in the spring and looks positioned to start at corner with Vadrawale. Harlem Howard also appears likely to hold onto a starting role. Beyond that, the picture gets much murkier.
The deepest competition is at safety, where Oregon State has to fill the spots left by Kobe Singleton, Skyler Thomas and Jaheim Patterson. RJ Whitten and Sean Craig are the most obvious candidates, and Xander Chisolm and Marquis Raspberry have now been added to the mix. That battle is set to play out over the next few weeks.
Craig is one name to watch closely. He drew a lot of praise during spring ball, which gives him a real chance to push for a role in the rotation or more.
The Beavers do have numbers in the room, even if the proven production is limited. The returning group also includes Noble Thomas Jr., Drake Vickers, Milan Clark, Harlem Howard, Exodus Ayers, Tyjai Hopper, Isaiah Houi, David Morrison, Blake Thompson, Kahanu Kalahiki, RJ Whitten, Sean Craig, Zephen Walker and freshman Kai Wheaton.
Oregon State also lost Tyrice Ivy Jr., Josiah Johnson, Jaheim Patterson, Kobe Singleton, Skyler Thomas and Mason White, while Conrad Hussey transferred to Miami and Jalil Tucker transferred to Washington State.
Ayers is part of the depth chart conversation, but his status will be affected by his pending legal case.
Projected two-deep: Field cornerback: TJ Crandall, Exodus Ayers
Field safety: RJ Whitten, Sean Craig Boundary safety: Harlem Howard, Xander Chisolm
Boundary cornerback: Sailasa Vadrawale III, Noble Thomas Jr. Nickel:
In Other News...
Oregon State Faces One Defining Fall Camp Test
Fall camp has become less about slogans and more about sorting out who Oregon State wants to be this season. Offensive coordinator Mitch Dahlen and defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre have both spent the opening stretch stressing identity, with Dahlen pointing to effort, quarterback confidence and winning individual matchups, while MacIntyre has focused on restoring a more physical defense and building a group that can hold up from the start.
The bigger challenge for the Beavers is making those ideas show up once the pads keep popping and the reps get longer. MacIntyre has talked about player maturity, simplifying the defensive package and cross-training players at multiple spots, which gives Oregon State some flexibility, but it also puts a premium on how quickly the roster absorbs the details. For a team still defining its edges, fall camp is where the first real answers have to emerge. [Read more 🡒]
Mitch Dahlen Is Building A New Oregon State Identity Fast
Mitch Dahlen has wasted little time putting his stamp on Oregon State as the Beavers first-year offensive coordinator, and the early message is less about schemes than attitude. He is trying to build a culture rooted in respect and toughness, one that changes how this team carries itself every day and how opponents experience it on the field.
The interesting part is how aggressively Dahlen is framing that identity. He has made it clear he wants the Beavers to play with a level of edge that stands out immediately, the kind of physicality that turns heads inside the program and across the league. For a team looking to define itself quickly under a new coordinator, that sort of hard-nosed standard can set a tone well beyond August. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon State Camp Is Already Shaping One Huge Offensive Question
Oregon States preseason camp is already doing what camps are supposed to do: sort out the biggest questions before September gets here. Head coach JaMarcus Shephard said the Beavers are still working through their quarterback battle while also seeing encouraging signs up front, with the offensive line making progress and Tyler Voltin drawing notice for his improvement.
Shephard has not rushed the process at quarterback, and the timeline alone tells you this will linger for a while as the Beavers keep evaluating the room. Maalik Murphy, Braden Atkinson and Brady Jones are in the mix, and the eventual answer will shape not just the offenses identity but how quickly Oregon State can settle into the season with any real rhythm. [Read more 🡒]