Oregon State Safeties Breakdown

With the losses of one of the bigger hitters in Oregon State history in Al Afalava, as well as the player that emotionally led Oregon State defensively over USC in Greg Laybourn, Beaver Nation had every right to feel apprehensive about the safety position heading into Spring camp. The duo of Suaesei Tuimaunei and Lance Mitchell quickly quieted all naysayers, however, and look to benefit from the old “addition by subtraction” adage.

Tuimaunei put numerous offensive players in their place throughout the Spring, and is expected to carry on the hard-hitting tradition that Afalava, a high school teammate in Laie, Hawaii, provided the last few years in the secondary. With 21 tackles and one tackle for loss in his career at Oregon State, Tuimaunei is the most experienced in a young core of Beaver safeties, and will be expected to take on a leadership role at the position.

While Tuimaunei may be the brawns of the safety relationship, Mitchell was clearly the brains, being able to read and react to a play the way pursuit football is supposed to be played. The 6 foot 2, 205 pound Mitchell is a pure ball-hawking talent, and was seen throughout the Spring roaming about centerfield, and was able to pick off several passes during the month of practices. Mitchell, a sophomore out of Pasadena, California was rated 29th in the nation at the safety position in his recruiting class, and could possibly be starting alongside Tuimaunei coming this Fall, but will be pushed hard by fellow sophomore Cameron Collins, who was also able to make a few impressive plays throughout the month. Collins has a good 15 pounds on Mitchell, but the question as to which safety has more athleticism has yet to be determined. Collins has the advantage over Mitchell as far as tackles go in the pair’s career, but that is not saying much, as neither player has seen any playing time outside of special teams.

One of the more impressive interceptions of the month came in the second team scrimmage by Collins, who was able to perfectly read and react to a Ryan Katz pass that was intended for freshman Jordan Bishop. Collins stepped in front of the throw, which was nearly into the hands of Bishop, and pulled the ball away from the receiver to make the play. Mitchell seems to hold the upper hand on Collins, but with the athleticism that Collins displayed throughout the month, he may be able to push for quality minutes coming in the Fall.

Four other safeties remain on the depth chart, but were unable to make a lasting impression during the month of April. Sophomore Colin McLeod, the only safety on the roster to be homegrown in Oregon participated in practices, but with the play of Tuimaunei, Mitchell and Collins, will see limited action this coming season, but will seemingly play a role in special teams. Redshirt freshmen Josh LaGrone, along with brothers Brian and Anthony Watkins will certainly add depth to the position, but will undoubtedly be buried on the depth chart at least for the next upcoming season.

Although both safety positions will be that of youth, the players expected to take on starting roles certainly have the talent to take on the roles of the predecessors, a key role that has continued to add a hard hitting flavor to the Oregon State defense over the past few years.