Oregon State Football: Most Valuable Player Countdown - #28 Omar Hicks-Onu

We continue our most valuable players list at #28, now just 30 days away from the Beavers season opener against Oklahoma State at Reser. Officially less than a month away from the season, we are beginning to see more familiar faces on the list.

#28 Omar Hicks-Onu - Safety

The redshirt senior did not play for the Beavers last season due to an ACL injury. Those are never an easy thing to come back from, but Hicks-Onu has had plenty of time to rehab and prepare for this upcoming season and looked impressive during spring camp.

Coming into Oregon State, Hicks-Onu was a 3-star recruit out of Texas. After redshirting his first season, he was thrust into playing time as a redshirt freshman where he tallied 11 tackles and made some good plays against the pass. In his sophomore season, Hicks-Onu made the jump to be one of the most valuable players in the secondary. Playing in all 12 games, he totaled 38 tackles (2.5 TFL), two pass deflections, one interception, and a forced fumble.

With Jalen Moore and David Morris likely filling the the starting roles at safety, Hicks-Onu will add great depth to the position. Along with Kee Whetzel (who is transitioning from LB), and Jeffery Manning, who has impressed during spring camp, the Beavers have five very capable safeties who are good tacklers and can help cover deep throws. Depending on the improvement of the defensive line, the safeties might have to make some important plays for the defense next year, meaning Hicks-Onu’s depth will be very valuable.

Projected Statistics:

35 Tackles, 3 TFL, 4 PBU’s, 1 Interception