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Oregon State Football: Early Signing Period Overview

The majority of 2020 recruits look to sign next week

By Marcus Russell
Oregon State v California Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Oregon State football is rapidly putting the finishing touches on a very talented 2020 recruiting class. It’s currently ranked 46th in the nation according to 247 sports. The Beavers finished 52nd, 70th and 51st the last three seasons. With the early signing period basically replacing National Signing Day in February, recruiting throughout the season has taken on even more importance. With the Beavers narrowly missing out on a bowl game; the coaching staff has shifted their attention to locking up their recruits for the 2020 class. The early signing period begins on December 18th and here’s everything you need to know before most of Oregon State’s class signs.

High School Commits Expected to Sign:

  • Isaiah Newell - ATH 6-3, 215, Las Lomas HS, Walnut Creek, California

Isaiah committed to the Beavers back in August and held offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and a host of other schools. He’s listed as an ‘athlete’ on 247 sports, but is a star running back for his high school and is expected to fight for carries behind Jermar Jefferson, B.J Baylor and Taron Madison. Newell is versatile though and big things are expected of him at the college level. When he verbally committed he said that he expects to sign in February during the traditional signing period, but that could change and he could sign on Dec. 18th.

Is Zeriah Beason the next great wide receiver to come through Corvallis? Beaver nation certainly hopes he is and he seems to have the pedigree coming out of high school. Beason committed to Oregon State all the way back in May and held offers from Florida, LSU, ASU, Arkansas, Baylor, Boston College and others. With Isaiah Hodgins off to the NFL, Beason might not have the luxury of redshirting and could be relied on immediately.

  • Ben Gulbranson - QB 6-3, 210, Newbury Park HS, Newbury Park, California

The potential quarterback of the future (QBOTF) for Oregon State is named Ben Gulbranson. He also committed to the Beavers back in May and held offers from Cal, ASU, Kansas State and others. The pro-style quarterback isn’t necessarily expected to compete with Tristan Gebbia and Chance Nolan (JUCO) for the starting quarterback spot in 2020; but look for him to redshirt and learn the offense as he prepares to become the starter.

  • John Miller - ILB 6-1, 215, Tualatin HS, Tualatin, Oregon

John Miller is a stud and destined to become the greatest player to ever wear an Oregon State jersey (and I’m not just saying that because Miller went to the same high school that I did). Seriously though John Miller was one of the top high school players in Oregon this past season and committed to Oregon State from day one wayyy back in December of 2018. Linebackers are a position of strength for the Beavers, so I would assume Miller would redshirt but anything can happen.

Another local linebacker who was a beast in high school is Junior Walling. He committed to Oregon State back in June and held offers from Air Force, Army, Brown, Columbia and others. Like most recruits the Beavs target, Junior played both ways in high school (running back & linebacker). Oregon State is well-stocked at the linebacker position!

  • Sione Lolohea - DE 6-3, 240, Aquinas HS, San Bernardino, California

Sione Lolohea is one of the top defensive-ends in the nation. He held offers from Boise State, BYU, Colorado, Fresno State and others before deciding to commit to Oregon State a couple of days ago. The Oregonian’s Andrew Nemec has high hopes for Lolohea and it sounds like his official visit helped put Oregon State into the lead when it came to his recruitment.

  • Jake Overman - TE 6-3, 231, Servite HS, Anaheim, California

The coaching staff liked Overman so much that they didn’t mind taking an extra tight end in the 2020 class. Originally they wanted just one TE and Tommy Spencer was the first to commit; but Jonathan Smith and company kept recruiting Jake Overman and they were rewarded for their efforts with his verbal commitment a few weeks ago. Jake held offers from Washington, Arizona, Boise State, Cal and more. With Noah Togiai’s eligibility exhausted; it’ll be fun to watch young guys like Luke Musgrave, Overman, Quitoriano and Spencer get a chance to make an impact.

  • Silas Bolden - WR 5-10, 1751 Rancho Cucamongo HS, Rancho Cucamonga, California

The younger brother of former Beaver Victor Bolden committed to Oregon State in October. Silas brings speed and electric play-making abilities with him to Corvallis. He held offers from Hawaii, Idaho, Sacramento State and San Jose State. Much like Victor Bolden, I expect Silas to initially contribute on special teams as he masters his technique as a route-runner.

The darling of the 2020 recruiting class committed to Oregon State over his hometown team Arizona State. Cooper Darling has great size and should push the starters for playing time early in his collegiate-career. The Beavers lost three senior starters on the offensive line and are looking to replace them with multi-year starters who can grow and learn in the offensive system.

  • Taliese Fuaga - OT 6-5, 320, Mount Tahoma HS, Tacoma, Washington

Fuaga was a monster ‘get’ by Oregon State. Taliese held offers from USC, Oregon, Nevada, Hawaii and a bunch of other schools. He impressed this past summer during the camp circuit and during his senior season as the offers began pouring in. The Washington native was selected to play in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl all star game.

  • Shane Kady - DE 6-3, 210, Mililani HS, Mililani, Hawaii

Shane Kady from Hawaii is an explosive defensive end/linebacker. He held offers from Arizona, BYU, Hawaii, Army, Utah State and others. He’s been verbally committed to Oregon State for six months and should fit into the Beavers defense as a pass-rusher who can also drop into coverage.

  • Trevor Pope - ATH 6-1, 165, Tracy HS, Tracy, California

Pope is an exciting athlete who can do it all on the football field. As a junior he had over 800 receiving yards and 800 rushing yards; while also playing on defense. Pope projects as a wide receiver for the Beavers and I’d imagine the coaching staff is excited about finding ways to get him in the open-field where he can do some damage.

  • Tommy Spencer - TE 6-5, 235, Roseville HS, Roseville, California

The first tight end of the 2020 class commit to Oregon State is the big-bodied Tommy Spencer. He’s been committed for six months and also held offers from Fresno State and San Diego State. Tight ends coach Brian Wozniak helped connect and recruit Tommy Spencer to Corvallis when they met at a football camp in the summer. Spencer is an excellent blocker and could help open running lanes for Jermar Jefferson and company next season.

Junior College Commits Expected to Sign:

  • Chance Nolan - QB 6-2, 186, Saddleback College, Mission Viejo, California

Chance Nolan is currently the top ranked recruit in the 2020 class for the Beavers. He had offers from Utah, UCLA, Oklahoma State and many others. He’s a good athlete and a talented quarterback. Tristan Gebbia is in the drivers seat to be the starter next season; but I don’t think anyone would be shocked if Nolan won the starting job.

  • Alex Lemon - DE 6-4, 275, San Diego Mesa College, Spring Valley, California

Alex Lemon is the top-ranked junior college defensive end in the entire nation. He picked the Beavers over Florida, LSU, Oklahoma and a bunch of other schools. If he signs and makes his way to Oregon State he’ll have a huge impact on the defensive line. Unfortunately, there are rumors that he might not sign as academics are a concern.

  • Alton Julian - CB 6-3, 190, College of San Mateo, Palo Alto, California

Julian was one of the top-ranked junior college corner of the 2020 recruiting class. He held offers from Texas A&M, Colorado, Boise State and many others. He originally committed to Colorado, but changed his mind and decided to play with his cousin Nahson Wright in Corvallis. He’s also cousins with key Oregon State target Rejzohn Wright. The Beavers defense is rapidly improving and the secondary is looks like where they need the most help, Alton Julian could see a lot of playing time in 2020.

Johnathan Riley the perfect Oregon State football player. A mix of Jonathan Smith and Mike Riley in his name, but in actuality this football player is a speedy safety. He held offers from Texas Tech, UMass, Cincinnati and Baylor was in the mix to offer him. The Beavers are dangerously thin in their secondary (especially at the safety position), I would expect Riley to fight for a starting spot and earn significant playing time.

  • Tavis Shippen - DE 6-5, 275, Mt. San Jacinto College, Murrieta, California

Shippen committed to Oregon State early this past summer and is the third highest ranked junior college defensive end. He’ll provide immediate size and experience for a defensive line that, while improving, could certainly use talented players.

  • Ron Hardge III - CB 6-1, 175, City College of San Francisco, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Hardge III originally committed to Illinois out of high school before going the junior college route and eventually committing to Oregon State. Hardge will have two years of eligibility remaining (three years if he takes a redshirt year). The Beavers secondary is dangerously thin and has been ravaged by injuries and transfers. Adding Hardge will be huge for the Oregon State secondary.

*The early signing period begins Dec. 18, 2019. While the regular signing period begins Feb. 5, 2020.

Players not technically listed as part of the 2020 Recruiting Class:

Others to keep an eye on: