Oregon State's football program has been on the rise lately (realignment not included, of course). Three straight winning seasons have led many to take notice of what the Beavers are doing under head coach Jonathan Smith.
For further proof of that, we have to look no further than the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. This year, four Beavers will be headed to Indianapolis to showcase their skills in front of NFL scouts and talent evaluators. That marks the most players the program will have sent to the combine since 2009.
Four Oregon State football players receive invitations to the 2024 NFL Draft Combine
Massive offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga will be the Beaver that everyone wants to see the most. At 6-foot-5 and 335 pounds, he is projected to be a first-round pick.
A dominant run blocker and an above average pass blocker, he will be highly coveted when the draft rolls around. In fact, he's ranked by some as the No. 17 overall prospect in the entire class.
With an NFL-ready frame, he dominated the run game at right tackle in 2023. He also possesses elite quickness and agility for a man his size.
In 2023, he did not allow a sack as he earned first-team All-PAC 12 honors. He also was an Outland Trophy Semifinalist (the award given annually to the NCAA's best offensive lineman).
On the other end of the size spectrum, wide receiver Anthony Gould is also going to be at the combine. The 5-foot-8, 163-pounder caught 44 passes for 718 yards and two TDs this past season. What's more, he's a big play threat averaging 16.3 yards per catch this season and 16.9 in 2022.
As a punt returner, he could also add value to an NFL team. He averaged 16.3 yards per punt return for his career and 18.3 per punt return in 2022.
Ryan Cooper Jr., a cornerback, also earned an invite to Indianapolis. In 2023, he registered 37 tackles and picked off one pass. For his two-year Oregon State career, he had four picks with three coming in 2022.
The 6-foot-tall defensive back projects as a nickel corner in the NFL. He will also have to prove to NFL teams that he can be a factor on special teams if he wants to make a roster.
Another Beaver defensive back, Kitan Oladapo, will be at the combine as well. The 6-foot-1, 209-pounder was incredibly consistent over the past three seasons for the Beavers putting up 69, 80, and 74 tackles respectively in 2021-23.
Finishing his career with three picks, two of which he grabbed in 2023, he was a first-team All-PAC-12 honoree in 2022. He's a strong run-stopper with nice closing speed but he's not the most fluid athlete and he must get better as an open-field tackler.
When is the 2024 NFL Combine?
The NFL Combine will take place from February 26 - March 4 in Indianapolis Indiana. It will be broadcast on the NFL Network.
- Thursday, February 29th, 3 pm ET – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
- Friday, March 1st, 3 pm ET – Defensive Backs, Tight Ends
- Saturday, March 2nd, 1 pm ET – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
- Sunday, March 3rd, 1 pm ET – Offensive Linemen