Oregon State kicks off the first of 15 spring football practices Tuesday, March 7. Here is the final of a series of 11 position previews, including coach Jonathan Smith’s thoughts.
It is special teams.
Previously: Safety, Offensive line, Quarterback, outside linebacker, running back, inside linebackers, tight end, defensive line, receiver, cornerback.
Participating this spring
P Josh Green, 6-1, 224, RJr.
P Max Walker, 6-2, 192, RFr.
LS Dylan Black, 6-1, 205, RSoph.
K Everett Hayes, 6-0, 207, Sr.
K Atticus Sappington, 5-10, 198, RSoph.
K Josh McCormick, 5-10, 194, RSoph.
Coming this summer
To be determined
Lost from 2022 roster
Luke Loecher, RSr.
Connor Meholovitch, Fr. (transfer)
How it fared in 2022
Loecher: 36 punts, 1,663 yards, 46.2 yards
Hayes: 6-13 FG, long 50, 33-35 PAT, 34 KO, 15 touchbacks
Sappington: 5-7 FG, long 40, 15-16 PAT, 40 KO, 22 touchbacks
Silas Bolden: 22 kick returns, 27.2-yard average, long 80
Anthony Gould: 14 punt returns 18.6-yd avg., 2 TD, long 80
What to watch this spring: Look for some intense competition from the placekickers, as Hayes attempts to bounce back from a sub-par 2022 season. Hayes dealt with a groin injury for much of the season, and it impacted his strength and accuracy. Hayes was better late in the season as the injury healed. When healthy, Hayes can be a weapon from distance, though his accuracy needs work. As a sophomore, Hayes was all-conference honorable mention after hitting 12 of 18 field goal attempts, including kicks of 52 and a school-record 60 yards. For his career, Hayes is 25 of 41 – which includes last year – so there’s work to do. Hayes will get competition from Sappington, who kicked field goals and extra points in several games last season as Hayes dealt with an injury. One way or another, Oregon State must get back to having a reliable kicker inside of 40 yards.
As for punter, the Beavers turn the page from the Loecher era, which was a good one. Green is the likely candidate to take over, though he’ll be limited this spring due to a medical procedure. Walker should get a fair amount of action, and perhaps look for others as well this spring. As for punt and kick units, spring is always a time to find reliable reserves to fill those roles, and starters who want to make a difference. Finding this year’s Jack Colletto, who played on all four kick and punt units, is a focus this spring. The primary kick and punt returners are back in Bolden, Gould and Jesiah Irish.
Coach Jonathan Smith says
Replacing Loecher: “Luke had a great year. Not easy to replace, but Josh Green was neck-and-neck with the guy when Josh was healthy. He won’t do much in the spring because he was dealing with a groin thing that he got fixed. But we’re confident with Josh. He’s a good punter. He’ll have a great opportunity to have a great year.”
Can Hayes get back to his old level? “Atticus is back, so he’ll have some competition. I do think Everett was dealing with a little bit of an injury throughout the season that hindered him. I credit Everett for battling. Everett made some kicks. That’s what I like, each year what you do previously, there might be good, bad or the other. You want to build off that experience. Everett planning on him doing the same, along with Atticus. And Josh McCormick for that matter. Josh has a big leg. He’ll get an opportunity to do some stuff.”
–Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel