Jaden Robinson and Skyler Thomas have patiently waited their turn to become a feature part of Oregon State’s secondary.
It appears their time will arrive this fall.
Robinson has battled injury and the Beavers’ wealth of talent at cornerback. Heading into his sixth year at OSU, the 6-foot, 183-pound Robinson has played with four cornerbacks who have either cracked an NFL roster or figure to be in a pro camp this summer.
Thomas was talented enough that Oregon State coaches decided to play him immediately as a true freshman in 2021. Versatile in that he can play corner, safety and nickel, Thomas should get a promotion from a name on the depth chart to a prominent role this fall.
Two years ago, Robinson appeared on the verge of a breakout. Robinson was among the talk of preseason camp in 2021, when weeks before the season opener he suffered a shoulder injury. That knocked him out for the year. When Robinson returned last season, Alex Austin and Rejzohn Wright were entrenched as the starting cornerbacks. On their way to all-conference campaigns, they rarely came off the field.
It’s a clean slate for Robinson in 2023. Austin and Wright are awaiting the draft. Two starting corner positions need filling. Robinson, who shined for OSU in the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl when Wright sat out after wrist surgery, is ready for the moment.
It’s been a challenging two years to reach this point. As Robinson sat and healed during the 2021 season, “I thought about what is life after football. I was more worried about getting back healthy.”
Last year, opportunities came sparingly for Robinson with Austin and Wright seeing most of the cornerback action. Robinson made his first career start in the Las Vegas Bowl, making seven tackles, one for a sack.
“Mentally, I kept myself ready for anything,” Robinson said.
Waiting wasn’t all bad for Robinson. He was able to learn from NFL corners Isaiah Dunn and Nahshon Wright, as well as Austin and Rejzohn Wright. They taught him about being preparation, and working on health and nutrition.
“Everything adds up at the end of the day,” Robinson said.
Meanwhile, the 6-2, 210-pound Thomas has played in all but one game during his two-year OSU career. Most have come as a reserve, though Thomas started twice last season.
This spring, Thomas has lined up at safety. But Thomas has put in time at corner and nickel during his career. In high school, Thomas played corner, with a little nickel and safety on occasion.
Thomas doesn’t have a preference.
“Whatever position they want me on the field,” he said. “I feel comfortable at safety. Corner, feel comfortable. Nickel, same way.”
Thomas played in 12 games as a true freshman. Thomas was more mature than most, in part because of a particular high school experience. Thomas grew up in the Bay Area, but because of the pandemic, his high school didn’t play football during the fall of 2020. Instead, Thomas enrolled at Heard County High, a school some 2,500 miles from home in Georgia, to play football.
Call it a pre-college experience.
“The place I lived there was a little bit different than home. It was more in the woods, kind of quiet. It kind of helped me talk to myself, kind of find myself,” Thomas said.
Thomas is by no means assured of a starting job this fall. Safety is a crowded position led by senior Kitan Oladapo. The Beavers also hope to get Alton Julian, who was emerging as a star in 2021 when he tore his ACL, back in August. At a minimum, though, Thomas should be a regular, because of his versatility.
Wherever Thomas plays, he’s focused on the next step of his college career.
“Just to dominate,” Thomas said. “Every time I step on the field, dominate. Pick these guys up, and be a leader.”
–Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel
