Position Group Breakdown: Oregon State

We’re just one day from kickoff and just about everything that has needed to be said about Oklahoma State’s football team going into the 2019 season has been said. But how do the Cowboys stack up against Oregon State at the Beavers best positions? Let’s take a look.

Running Backs

Sophomore Jermar Jefferson enters his second season for Oregon State. He rushed for 1,380 yards a year ago, breaking a freshman rushing record and finishing with the sixth most rushing yards a Beaver has ever rushed for in a single season.

Also returning is Artavis Pierce, who averaged 7.6 yards per carry on 54 carries last season. When Jefferson isn’t in the game, the Oregon State offense won’t skip a beat with Pierce filling in. These two will provide a good one-two punch for the Beavers offense.

The best running back on the field will likely be Chuba Hubbard in this game. Hubbard rushed for more than 700 yards last season despite only being the featured back in the last four games. With Justice Hill lost to the NFL, Cowboy fans will get their first chance at seeing what Hubbard can do as the feature back for an entire season.

LD Brown is a more than serviceable back-up for the Cowboys. He has blazing fast speed and has averaged 6.1 yards per carry for his career. Oklahoma State might not have quite the same one-two punch that Oregon State has, but the Cowboys match-up well with Oregon State at running back.

Wide Receivers

Oklahoma State’s featured position over the years has been wide receiver, and that hasn’t stopped just because James Washington graduated. Tylan Wallace had an incredible sophomore campaign and returns for his junior season. Oregon State has a nice group as well.

The Beavers wide-outs are led by Isaiah Hodgins, a preseason second team conference selection. As a sophomore, Hodgins led Oregon State in yards (876) and receptions (59) last season.

Other impact wide receivers include Jesiah Irish, Tyjon Lindsay and Trevon Bradford. Between these four players, the Beavers have a dynamic receiving corps. Analyst Marcus Greaves told BeaverBlitz.com that this group has it all.

“Where do I begin with this group? They have size, speed, athleticism, explosiveness and depth,” Greaves said. “The Beavers really do have it all at this position. I am willing to throw all my chips in saying they produce a big number of the touchdowns scored this season, maybe even more than the running backs.”

Behind Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State has experienced and reliable Dillon Stoner. Landon Wolf and South Alabama transfer Jordan McCray will start. Oklahoma State fans should get their first look at C.J. Moore this season as well. Cowboys have the advantage but not by as much as they normally do.

Defensive Secondary

I am grouping together cornerbacks and safeties here. The Beavers return Jalen Moore, who recorded 102 tackles last season. Oregon State has experience in its secondary, but the question is, did those players improve? Oregon State’s secondary routinely got torched by opposing receivers last season.

Shawn Wilson had 44 tackles and the only interception from Oregon State’s top returners. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State returns an equally experienced secondary that fared better in the Big 12 than Oregon State did in the Pac 12. That says a lot. Rodarius Williams and A.J. Green return at cornerback and Kolby Peel and Jarrick Bernard return for their sophomore seasons. Oklahoma State has the big advantage here.