The Oregon State Beavers are going through a huge transition as a program. Not only is the conference they are in dissolving but their head coach, Jonathan Smith, is leaving to coach Michigan State. Because of this, many players have decided to leave via the transfer portal. Top-rated safety Akili Arnold announced he is entering the transfer portal and becomes the latest Beaver to leave.
Oregon State Beavers S Akili Arnold Enters Transfer Portal
Arnold has been with the Beavers for five years but 2023 was his best year by far. According to PFF, he had a coverage grade of 85.7 which is considered elite and he had the stats to back it up. In 2023, he had 60 tackles with two of them being for loss, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. He will have one year of eligibility remaining and should be one of the top safeties to recruit from the portal.
Tough For Oregon State
With some programs, like Ohio State, there are a lot of questions as to why players are leaving. For this program, it isn’t hard to find the reasons. Anytime there is a coaching change players tend to leave. They were recruited by the previous coach so when he leaves, so do they. The dissolving of the Pac-12 is also not great for getting talent. Players want to be a part of a program that has national attention and can compete for championships. Without a conference, that is nearly impossible.
The good news for the Beavers is that this departure will give some of the younger players more playing time. Oregon State football will look very different in 2024.
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