Quick Links: Noah Togiai & Artavis Pierce Sign Deals, Jake Luton’s Potential & More

• The 2020 NFL Draft was a success for Oregon State, as the Beavers had three players hear their names called, which is the most for the school since 2015 (5), while also ending a two-year drought of having players picked. In addition to those talents finding homes at the next level, two other Oregon State stand-outs did as well, as the Philadelphia Eagles signed tight end Noah Togiai to a deal, while running back Artavis Pierce was scooped up by the Chicago Bears.

• Quarterback Jake Luton was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars and with a razor thin depth chart at quarterback, he may find time to make his mark with the franchise. SB Nation’s Christian D’Andrea gives a fantastic breakdown of some of Luton’s abilities and how despite a pedestrian college career, he may be primed and ready to take off at the next level.

• In what some would say is a fairly nice gesture, the United State’s Rowing program opted to name the athletes who would’ve taken part in their selection camps this summer, which included two of Oregon State’s finest. The Beavers duo of Sierra Bishop and Shelby Larkin would have both been invited to compete for a spot on the 2020 World Rowing Under 23 Team USA roster, which would have competed at the World Championships this August, before the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the games.

• Oregon State legendary alum Gary Payton will simply never stop making his voice heard. Over the past week, Payton has stated that he would love to play a game of “1-on-1” against current Celtics star Marcus Smart because he’s “got a little bit of dog (in him)”. It was an interesting response from a player noted for his ability to defend just about any offensively skilled play. Anyway, Payton also picked the Los Angeles Clippers to win the NBA title if the season was to resume, which is just Gary being Gary, of course. Oh yeah, and he also mentioned that his whole farewell tour with Karl Malone was in the works for years in advance. What does all of this matter? Not a whole lot to anyone who isn’t “The Glove”.

• And finally, on this date last year, Oregon State’s baseball squad hammered Washington State by an 18-4 margin, helped by a total of 17 team hits, which included a grand slam by catcher Adley Rutschman. The Beavers’ 18 runs in the game were the most for the program in a Pac-12 game since 2008, when they coincidentally also knocked off the Cougars, that time by a 19-9 scoreline.

ICYMI

• 2020 NFL Draft: Day Three (Rounds 4-7) - BTD’s Winners & Losers
• 2020 NFL Draft: Day Two (Round 2 & 3) - BTD’s Winners & Losers
• 2020 NFL Draft: Day One (Round 1) - BTD’s Winners & Losers
• Pac-12 Basketball: Off-Season Player Movement Tracker (2020 NBA Draft & Transfers)
• Catching Up With Joe Burton: Native Pride, Pro Basketball, Hunwut Clothing & More