The College Football season is almost here, and our countdown is wrapping up. Today we cover No. 1.
#1: Blake Brandel - Offensive Line
Blake Brandel the 6-foot-7 tackle from Milwaukie, Oregon is the Beavers most valuable player, in my opinion. The junior has started 24 consecutive games for Oregon State. His streak is the longest on the team heading into the 2018 season and is remarkable considering the physicality that is displayed at the line of scrimmage. Brandel is also an exceptional student, earning Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention twice the last two season.
If Jake Luton is named the starting quarterback (which seems likely after their latest scrimmage in Bend) there will be even more pressure on the left-tackle to protect his blindside. Luton isn’t able to escape pressure quite as well as Conor Blount and a clean pocket will be crucial for the offense.
Frequently during BTD’s countdown we’ve mentioned the veteran presence that this offensive line brings to an otherwise fairly young football team. Injuries are starting to pile up at almost every position, but the offensive line has managed to stay injury free (fingers crossed). If the Beavers are going to have a good season then Blake Brandel and the rest of the offensive line are going to need to have an outstanding season. Next Saturday we’ll find out if this offensive line can handle one of the best defensive lines in the nation. It should be fun, Go Beavs!
The final list:
#1: Blake Brandel - OL
#3: Gus Lavaka - OL
#4: Jake Luton - QB
#6: Noah Togiai - TE
#8: Elu Aydon - DT
#9: David Morris - S
#10: Jalen Moore - S
#11: Timmy Hernandez - WR
#12: Andrzej Hughes-Murray - LB
#13: Sumner Houston - OL
#14: Trevon Bradford - WR
#15: Jonathan Willis - LB
#16: Kammy Delp - OL
#17: Jay Irvine - CB
#18: Kee Whetzel - LB
#19: Trent Moore - OL
#20: Dwayne Williams - CB
#21: LaMone Williams - DE
#22: Isaiah Dunn - CB
#23: Conor Blount - QB
#24: Omar Hicks-Onu - S
#25: Jeromy Reichner - DE
#27: Isaac Garcia - DE
#28: Shemar Smith - LB
#29: Shawn Wilson - CB
Feel free to chime in with your thoughts. Who’s ranked to low? Who else should have made the list?