OSU Exodus Begins

Oregon State head coach Gary Andersen said after Friday's Civil War game that frank discussions would be a part of end of season "exit" interviews with players, and some of those meetings really would be "exit" interviews for other than departing seniors. It's a part of the progression with a new staff, and also for a team that didn't play up to expectations most of the season.

Today, the first departures were announced, with QB Nick Mitchell the most notable name.

DE Luke Hollingsworth and one time WR turned DB Malik Gilmore will also be moving on, as will be DB Chris Hayes.

Mitchell played himself out of the rotation during summer camp, but resurfaced when Marcus McMaryion also struggled at QB, and got another shot when Seth Collins was injured. He was a sub-50% completion passer though, completing only 45% of his throws on the season, and ultimately was benched in the first half of the disaster against Washington, after an 0 of 7 start, and didn't see the field again.

Hollingsworth got chances to play under former coach Mike Riley as well as this year, but in both cases didn't play well enough to stay on the field.

Gilmore got starts under Riley's staff, but lack of performance dropped him down the depth chart. A fresh start under Andersen went awry when Gilmore suffered a shoulder injury early in the first scrimmage this past summer, and he was never able to work his way back up the receiver rotation.

Gilmore was moved to the defensive back field in an attempt to find a place for him other than on special teams, but he never emerged, this in an inexperienced and injury decimated group, and last played against Washington.

Hayes never was able to work himself off of the scout team.

Gilmore and Hollingsworth are on track to graduate this academic year, and both have red-shirted, so if they finish their degree, they could play next year at another school for their final season of eligibility.

Mitchell, a red-shirt freshman, and Hayes, would have to set out next season before they could play at an FBS program, but could play at a FCS or lower level school next season.

As all 4 were scholarship players, it will allow 4 more recruits this off-season, as Oregon State's returning number of scholarship players was close enough to the limit of 85 that a full annual limit of 25 scholarships was not available for this coming incoming class, that was looking like it would be limited to about 18.

There may be more movement to come in the next two weeks as fall term wraps up.

Andy_Wooldridge@yahoo.com