WATCH: Oregon State Spring Practice Interviews - Day 2
Video interviews with JJ and Tyjon Lindsey: https://oregonstate.rivals.com/news/watch-oregon-state-spring-practice-interviews-day-2-1
- During Thursday's practice, there were signs of strength and room for improvement at the start of year two of "The Return." Oregon State continued the momentum from Tuesday’s practice, looking organized and energetic.
- The offense was a bright spot in several games last season, but inconsistencies caused struggles along the way. Getting the first unit comfortable and prepared will help stabilize this. Again, it is only the spring, but here’s what I found as the most consistent first-team offense:
QB: Jake Luton
RB: Artavis Pierce
WR: Isaiah Hodgins
WR: Tyjon Lindsey
WR: Kolby Taylor
WR: Trevon Bradford
LT: Blake Brandel
LG: Gus Lavaka
C: Nous Keobounnam
RG: Clay Cordasco
RT: Brandon Kipper
- With tight end Noah Togiai nursing an ankle sprain, the offense went without a tight end for most sets. When they did bring in tight ends, it was Isaiah Smalls and Teagan Quitoriano in two tight end sets. Obviously, this will change with a healthy Togiai, but for now, offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren is trying several packages.
- During early QB drills, Gebbia looked more comfortable and accurate throwing on the run than Luton... Luton is more comfortable inside the pocket.
(See video in tweet below, or just continue scrolling)
- The quarterbacks worked on step-and-throw short passes, as well as five-step drops from under center. In the 11-on-11, Luton was again primarily shotgun, working on three-step drops and quick-throws. He seemed comfortable and still has that smooth throwing motion.
- I mentioned Gebbia going through his progressions on Tuesday, and watched it with closer this time. Gebbia looks to the opposite side of the field, and then comes back to his receiver, even when it’s only one receiver running his route. Gebbia takes the time to look off a non-existent safety, and come back to his receiver like a game situation.
- Tyjon Lindsey has some of the best spatial awareness I have seen from a receiver. His ability to toe-tap on the sideline, keeping both feet in while controlling his body, is amazing. After practice, Lindsey said it’s something he’s worked on over the years to the point where it now comes naturally.
- Nous Keobounnam had consistent snaps all practice. The first-team offensive line is strongest on the left side, anchored by Lavaka and Brandel. The offensive line worked a lot on picking up linebackers and blitz communication. Brandel and Lavaka were the most consistent, where Cordasco and Kipper needed more communication on stunts and blitzes.
- During 11-on-11, Jake started off with two checkdowns, after good defensive coverage. Gebbia came in, and dropped a 40-yard dime to Jesiah Irish down the left sideline resulting in a touchdown. Irish got past Moku Watson and Kee Whetzel was slow over the top from safety. Gebbia then completed a sharp 10-yard curl, after working through his progressions first.
- Luton, several plays later, missed Lindsey wide-open for a touchdown after he torched the corner. Luton instead forced the ball into traffic over the middle of the field. After practice, Lindsey said that’s not something he approaches Luton about in practice, but rather it’s something the team will address in film.
- Anthony Gould caught a dime from Nick Moore for a TD, after toasting corner Wynston Russell.
- Gebbia did get a chance to run with the first unit, completing a skinny post to Lindsey. Lindsey and Gebbia have maintained a strong connection through the first two practices.
- Jack Colletto ran zone-read plays, running out the fake QB keeper even if he didn’t have the ball. He and Moore were the only QBs who ran the read-option.
- The defense looked stronger in 11-on-11 on day one; however, they are still missing key players. There were several adjustments made from day one. Defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar ran base and nickel packages, but here’s the base first-team defense for spring day two:
DE: Isaac Hodgins
DT: Elu Aydon
DE: Jeromy Reichner
OLB: Matthew Tago
ILB: Isaiah Tufaga
ILB: Shemar Smith
OLB: Andrzej Hughes-Murray
CB: Jaden Robinson
S: Shawn Wilson
S: Jalen Moore
CB: Kaleb Hayes
- Hughes-Murray played defensive end in a three-point stance on Tuesday, but was back at outside backer and stand-up defensive end today. Cornerback Isaiah Dunn came in for Reichner in the nickel set, allowing Tago and Hughes-Murray to play stand-up end, with Smith and Tufaga in the middle and five defensive backs.
- Evan Bennett was back practicing today with a sleeve on his right knee after injuring it Tuesday. He did not appear to have any limitations, and the sleeve seemed cautionary.
- Avery Roberts has impressive size, and worked into the second unit at middle linebacker. He is built about the same as Shemar Smith. Roberts looked very good in coverage drills with other middle linebackers. His reads were perfect, and just from watching he’s comfortable playing that hook/curl middle zone. Roberts also recovered a fumble in the 11-on-11 period, and took it up the left side to score. I couldn’t see who forced the fumble in the mess of bodies.
- In team drills, the defense got off to a slow start. They allowed several completions, a big run from Taron Madison up the middle, and three touchdowns on streaks. Even though they have key playmakers injured, the secondary should not allow receivers to get behind them.
- The outside linebackers worked on defending the zone-read. Isaac Garcia was working with that group since his position change. Garcia is one of the bigger linebackers, but is still quick enough to remain on the outside. Hamilcar Rashed Jr. was limited again with his elbow, but made two perfect reads on the quarterback in two attempts. Rashed made the quickest and most decisive reads on the read option plays, and he was spot on both time.
- Isaac Hodgins impressed again. He fired off hard repeatedly and got good penetration, and would have had a sack if Gus Lavaka had not grabbed his facemask as he burst through the line at one point. Hodgins was also working on his club move to get by defenders with Reichner after practice.
Injuries
Offense:
Noah Togiai, DNP (Did not practice),
Keli’i Montibon, DNP
Brock Wellsfry, DNP
Calvin Tyler Jr., DNP
Defense:
Hamilcar Rashed Jr., limited (non-contact)
Addison Gumbs, DNP
David Morris, DNP
Simon Sandberg, DNP
Video interviews with JJ and Tyjon Lindsey: https://oregonstate.rivals.com/news/watch-oregon-state-spring-practice-interviews-day-2-1
PRACTICE NUGGETS
From Mitchell Monge
From Mitchell Monge
- During Thursday's practice, there were signs of strength and room for improvement at the start of year two of "The Return." Oregon State continued the momentum from Tuesday’s practice, looking organized and energetic.
- The offense was a bright spot in several games last season, but inconsistencies caused struggles along the way. Getting the first unit comfortable and prepared will help stabilize this. Again, it is only the spring, but here’s what I found as the most consistent first-team offense:
QB: Jake Luton
RB: Artavis Pierce
WR: Isaiah Hodgins
WR: Tyjon Lindsey
WR: Kolby Taylor
WR: Trevon Bradford
LT: Blake Brandel
LG: Gus Lavaka
C: Nous Keobounnam
RG: Clay Cordasco
RT: Brandon Kipper
- With tight end Noah Togiai nursing an ankle sprain, the offense went without a tight end for most sets. When they did bring in tight ends, it was Isaiah Smalls and Teagan Quitoriano in two tight end sets. Obviously, this will change with a healthy Togiai, but for now, offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren is trying several packages.
- During early QB drills, Gebbia looked more comfortable and accurate throwing on the run than Luton... Luton is more comfortable inside the pocket.
(See video in tweet below, or just continue scrolling)
- The quarterbacks worked on step-and-throw short passes, as well as five-step drops from under center. In the 11-on-11, Luton was again primarily shotgun, working on three-step drops and quick-throws. He seemed comfortable and still has that smooth throwing motion.
- I mentioned Gebbia going through his progressions on Tuesday, and watched it with closer this time. Gebbia looks to the opposite side of the field, and then comes back to his receiver, even when it’s only one receiver running his route. Gebbia takes the time to look off a non-existent safety, and come back to his receiver like a game situation.
- Tyjon Lindsey has some of the best spatial awareness I have seen from a receiver. His ability to toe-tap on the sideline, keeping both feet in while controlling his body, is amazing. After practice, Lindsey said it’s something he’s worked on over the years to the point where it now comes naturally.
- Nous Keobounnam had consistent snaps all practice. The first-team offensive line is strongest on the left side, anchored by Lavaka and Brandel. The offensive line worked a lot on picking up linebackers and blitz communication. Brandel and Lavaka were the most consistent, where Cordasco and Kipper needed more communication on stunts and blitzes.
- During 11-on-11, Jake started off with two checkdowns, after good defensive coverage. Gebbia came in, and dropped a 40-yard dime to Jesiah Irish down the left sideline resulting in a touchdown. Irish got past Moku Watson and Kee Whetzel was slow over the top from safety. Gebbia then completed a sharp 10-yard curl, after working through his progressions first.
- Luton, several plays later, missed Lindsey wide-open for a touchdown after he torched the corner. Luton instead forced the ball into traffic over the middle of the field. After practice, Lindsey said that’s not something he approaches Luton about in practice, but rather it’s something the team will address in film.
- Anthony Gould caught a dime from Nick Moore for a TD, after toasting corner Wynston Russell.
- Gebbia did get a chance to run with the first unit, completing a skinny post to Lindsey. Lindsey and Gebbia have maintained a strong connection through the first two practices.
- Jack Colletto ran zone-read plays, running out the fake QB keeper even if he didn’t have the ball. He and Moore were the only QBs who ran the read-option.
- The defense looked stronger in 11-on-11 on day one; however, they are still missing key players. There were several adjustments made from day one. Defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar ran base and nickel packages, but here’s the base first-team defense for spring day two:
DE: Isaac Hodgins
DT: Elu Aydon
DE: Jeromy Reichner
OLB: Matthew Tago
ILB: Isaiah Tufaga
ILB: Shemar Smith
OLB: Andrzej Hughes-Murray
CB: Jaden Robinson
S: Shawn Wilson
S: Jalen Moore
CB: Kaleb Hayes
- Hughes-Murray played defensive end in a three-point stance on Tuesday, but was back at outside backer and stand-up defensive end today. Cornerback Isaiah Dunn came in for Reichner in the nickel set, allowing Tago and Hughes-Murray to play stand-up end, with Smith and Tufaga in the middle and five defensive backs.
- Evan Bennett was back practicing today with a sleeve on his right knee after injuring it Tuesday. He did not appear to have any limitations, and the sleeve seemed cautionary.
- Avery Roberts has impressive size, and worked into the second unit at middle linebacker. He is built about the same as Shemar Smith. Roberts looked very good in coverage drills with other middle linebackers. His reads were perfect, and just from watching he’s comfortable playing that hook/curl middle zone. Roberts also recovered a fumble in the 11-on-11 period, and took it up the left side to score. I couldn’t see who forced the fumble in the mess of bodies.
- In team drills, the defense got off to a slow start. They allowed several completions, a big run from Taron Madison up the middle, and three touchdowns on streaks. Even though they have key playmakers injured, the secondary should not allow receivers to get behind them.
- The outside linebackers worked on defending the zone-read. Isaac Garcia was working with that group since his position change. Garcia is one of the bigger linebackers, but is still quick enough to remain on the outside. Hamilcar Rashed Jr. was limited again with his elbow, but made two perfect reads on the quarterback in two attempts. Rashed made the quickest and most decisive reads on the read option plays, and he was spot on both time.
- Isaac Hodgins impressed again. He fired off hard repeatedly and got good penetration, and would have had a sack if Gus Lavaka had not grabbed his facemask as he burst through the line at one point. Hodgins was also working on his club move to get by defenders with Reichner after practice.
Injuries
Offense:
Noah Togiai, DNP (Did not practice),
Keli’i Montibon, DNP
Brock Wellsfry, DNP
Calvin Tyler Jr., DNP
Defense:
Hamilcar Rashed Jr., limited (non-contact)
Addison Gumbs, DNP
David Morris, DNP
Simon Sandberg, DNP
Last edited:
