Oregon State Football: Most Valuable Player Countdown - # 5 Artavis Pierce

With the college football season approaching, we crack the top 5 of the most valuable players for Oregon State.

#5 Artavis Pierce

If the Oregon State offense is going to be productive this year they’re going to have a balanced attack to keep the opposing defense off balance. In order to have a balanced attack Artavis Pierce is going to need to have a big year, and after two years behind Ryan Nall, it’s safe to say that Pierce is ready to carve up defenses on a regular basis.

Entering his junior year, Pierce has played in 23 games making him by far the most experienced running back in this young, but talented group of backs. Pierce will be given a majority of the carries this year, and will undoubtedly surpass his 323 yards that he earned on the ground last year.

Just as Pierce is a threat to run the ball, he cannot be taken for granted as a receiver out of the backfield. Last year, he averaged 8.5 yards per reception, and had a career high with 43 yards on 2 receptions in his first start against Colorado.

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Pierce will make his first start of the year in just under two weeks, when he and the Beavers open up the 2018 season in Columbus, Ohio against Ohio State.