Oregon State’s first day of fall camp came with a little bit of everything Wednesday at Reser Stadium: a wave of newcomers, several notable body transformations and a roster that looks close to whole again.
Most of the players who had been sidelined for the spring game because of injury were back on the field, including offensive lineman Tyler Voltin and linebacker Aiden Sullivan. After practice, coach JaMarcus Shephard sounded confident about both.
“Those two guys are ready to rock and roll,” Shephard said. “I think they’re going to run through a brick wall for this football team - I know they will.”
Not everyone was full-go. Starting defensive tackle Jacob Schuster was out, though Shephard said he “should be good to go at this point.” Safeties Sean Craig and RJ Whitten, along with cornerback Noble Thomas Jr., were limited in what Shephard called “maintenance.”
Receiver Adonis McDaniel, who tore his Achilles in the winter and had initially been expected to miss the season, is still moving in the right direction. Shephard said McDaniel is making “a ton of progress,” and may not be ruled out entirely.
The offseason also brought some eye-catching changes on the scale. Oregon State listed several players with significant weight gains, especially in the secondary, at receiver and along the offensive line.
Cornerback Kai Wheaton added 14 pounds, while Sean Craig and TJ Crandall each gained 10. Harlem Howard and Trey Glasper each put on nine.
At receiver, Ross Nickson gained 13 pounds, Cynai Thomas added 11 and Jameson Powell picked up 10.
Up front, Jake Normoyle added 35 pounds, Teko Shoats gained 20 and Frankie Petuya added 16. On the other side of the ledger, Peter Langi dropped 48 pounds, Voltin lost 15 and tackles Josiah Timoteo and Will Larkins each dropped 12. Schuster also dropped 30 pounds.
Schuster’s loss, along with the weight drops for the offensive linemen, was intentional and aimed at improving muscle mass. Shephard also said Normoyle’s gain was planned, though it was complicated by an illness in the winter that caused him to lose weight.
“His was putting back on the weight,” Shephard said.
A few returning players also showed up with new numbers. Jabari Odoemenem switched from 6 to 3, Logan Knapp moved from 16 to 10 and Gyriece Goodman changed from 42 to 12.
Oregon State also revealed the jersey numbers for its new transfers and freshmen: Xander Chisolm (5), Danny Leary (13), Jayden Padgett (18), MJ Kennybrew (21), Marquis Raspberry (26), Rocco De La Rosa (27), Caleb Metzner (42), Tanu A’aitui (55), Michael Langi (71), Landon Cook (81), Adel Dorr (88), Lolani Finau (93) and Cameron Hewitt (94).
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