Oregon State football: Omar Speights mulling a 2023 return, offensive linemen hit the town

There are a pair the reason why Omar Speights may return to Oregon State in 2023 for a fifth and last 12 months of school.

Speights went via senior day ceremonies previous to the Beavers’ 38-34 win over Oregon on Nov. 26. Speights wrapped up a bachelor’s diploma in enterprise this fall. Throughout a four-year profession, Speights has confirmed to be one of the vital prolific linebackers in OSU historical past. He’s prone to get an NFL shot.

So why come again?

“Proper now, it’s 50-50,” Speights stated Tuesday because the Beavers prep for Saturday’s Las Vegas Bowl recreation in opposition to Florida at Allegiant Stadium.

Speights plans to offer the query deep thought throughout the Christmas vacation interval. If he decides to return, Speights says he’ll be seeking to develop just a few areas of his recreation mandatory for an NFL profession. He feels despite the fact that the Beavers had been 9-3 this season, there’s unfinished enterprise.

And there’s this: Speights want to end forward of defensive coordinator Trent Bray in OSU profession tackles. Bray recorded 337 tackles throughout his Beavers enjoying profession. Speights has 302 heading into the bowl recreation.

“It’s one thing that’s at the back of my thoughts, chasing Coach Bray down,” Speights stated. “Passing him up can be enjoyable, simply to shoot jokes at one another.”

Bray wouldn’t be the one former Beavers defensive nice at risk of giving technique to Speights ought to he return. Speights is presently No. 9 all-time in profession tackles. Speights wants 114 tackles to go Steve Brown, OSU’s prime profession tackler.

It’s potential Saturday is Speights’ faculty swan music, too. The 6-foot-1, 233-pound Crescent Valley Excessive grad has performed in 44 OSU video games, beginning 37 occasions. Speights is a three-time all-conference choice, making first crew this 12 months after racking up 77 tackles this season.

Speights says no matter occurs will probably be a household determination. He feels prepared for the NFL, however says it wouldn’t hassle him to do one other 12 months within the classroom.

Oregon State’s potential 2023 roster additionally intrigues him.

“We’ve obtained plenty of guys coming again. If I used to be to decide on to come back again, we’d be that significantly better,” Speights stated.

Time for supper: One of many highlights of Oregon State’s bowl journeys for the offensive linemen is a midweek dinner. The crew’s 23-man offensive line crew is hitting the Vegas strip Tuesday evening for dinner at a sublime buffet.

Senior proper guard Brandon Kipper pays the invoice after gathering cash from everybody. Final 12 months, the offensive line went to a Brazilian steakhouse throughout LA Bowl week. Kipper remembers the tab reaching about $2,300.

“It’s a very good alternative for us to go sit down as a gaggle and spend time collectively,” Kipper stated.

Smith remembers Mike Leach: Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith spent the higher a part of a decade competing in opposition to Mike Leach, the Mississippi State coach who died Monday of coronary heart failure.

Smith was offensive coordinator at Washington from 2014-17 when the Huskies beat Leach’s Washington State Cougars 4 consecutive occasions. Smith additionally coached in opposition to Leach throughout his first two seasons at Oregon State.

“Yeah, robust. Nice man for the occupation. I appreciated him early, first 12 months within the Pac-12, coaches conferences and speaking to him, giving recommendation,” Smith stated.

“He did plenty of nice issues. Not only for the sport, however these he surrounded himself with. He’s accomplished so many issues for others.”

— Nick Daschel reported from Las Vegas.

ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel