Spring is a time of transition for former college football players heading to the professional ranks, and this year is no exception for OSU alums.
It wasn't last year, where the Beavers saw nine players drafted, headlined by Andy Levitre. Oregon State's only draft pick was Sean Canfield, who was picked in the seventh round by the Saints. However, Damola Adeniji is headed to Tampa Bay as a free agent, and Keaton Kristick signed a similar deal with San Francisco. Also, offensive lineman Gregg Peat has singed with the Colts. We've been providing you with snippets of information here on BuildingTheDam, but here is a retrospective look at who has gone where in the past few days.
Sean Canfield finished the year as the Pac-10's leading passer and ranked in the Top 25 in most statistical categories nationally. His completion percentage this year was stellar--near 68%-- beating Erik Wilhelm's mark of 65% in 1988. Only four other quarterbacks, Tim Tebow and Jimmy Clausen included, had a better percentage this year.
Sean was thrust into the spotlight as a sophomore, starting the first nine games of the season before suffering an injury against USC. Injuries played a large role in Sean's career, but forced him to earn the starting quarterback job on several occasions. The competition with Lyle Moevao, if nothing else, challenged Sean to work hard and earn his playing time.
With the Saints, he'll have to compete with former Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel for the #2 role behind Drew Brees, who you may have heard of.
Related: Jake's conversation with Dave from Canal Street Chronicles
"Something I had to do [in college] was compete," Canfield told NewOrleansSaints.com. "I'm just looking forward to getting into camp, getting into minicamps, learning the offense, meeting Drew Brees and Chase Daniel, just getting oriented with everything. I couldn't be more excited about the opportunity."
It will be interesting to see how Canfield fairs in the NFL. His two predecessors at Oregon State, Derek Anderson and Matt Moore, have both found success and credit Mike Riley and the foundation the Oregon State offense provides in their development.
"The pro style system is something I'm very familiar with and that's [what they] wanted to see. Talking to me after a few of my plays, I think they were comfortable with me because of my experience in the pro style system."
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Keaton Kristick went undrafted but is now headed to San Francisco along with nine other rookie free agaents. Kristick finished sixth in the Pac-10 in tackles with 95. As Andy noted over the weekend, Keaton may have benefited from going to San Francisco, where he'll have a legitimate chance to make a decent--not loaded-- roster.
LeGarette Blount, who was expected to sign with the 49ers, is now headed for the Titans.
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Damola Adeniji finished second on the team in receiving behind James Rodgers this year, averaging just over 60 yards per game. Coming out of South Eugene High School, Damola didn't even expect to play college football and wasn't even the best receiver on his team, but has since blossomed into a talented receiver who has an opportunity to make an NFL roster. He'll enter training camp with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he'll join former Beavers Sabby Piscitelli, Sam Paulescu, and Sammie Stroughter.
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Offensive guard Gregg Peat has joined the Indianapolis Colts and former teammate Kyle DeVan, who started for the Colts last season.
--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)