With Oregon State’s preseason football camp on Aug. 1 less than a month away, we look at the Beavers’ top 19 players for 2019. A 19-for-’19, if you will. Come back each day for the newest player on this list. We continue with No. 3, defensive tackle Jordan Whittley.
Physical stats: 6-2, 338
Year: Redshirt senior
Position: Defensive line
How he arrived at OSU: Signed as a junior college transfer last December
2018 season: Played at Laney College in Oakland, where he had 14½ tackles for loss and 5½ sacks in 13 games.
Career numbers: First year at Oregon State.
Value to 2019 team: Many eyes will be watching Whittley come August during preseason camp. He’s not going to turn around OSU’s defense overnight, but he has the ability to stabilize the defensive front. It’s a huge factor following a season where the Beavers’ defensive line simply didn’t match up against most opposing offensive lines. With only one year in Corvallis assured – there is the possibility of petitioning a second through the NCAA – Whittley figures to be extremely motivated to show his skills at the FBS level. Against the best California junior college teams, Whittley demanded double-team blocking, and even at that was rarely slowed down. During OSU spring drills, he was a force when healthy. Physical shape is an issue for Whittley. Once 380 pounds in junior college, Whittley has trimmed to around 335 pounds and is developing good eating habits under OSU’s training staff watch. The goal this summer is to get Whittley into the physical shape that will allow him to play three or four snaps at a time. If Whittley is able to show up for the majority of OSU’s defensive plays, the Beavers will be better on defense in 2019.
Of interest: Signed out of high school at San Jose State to play running back.
Previous 19-for-’19
No. 19: Elu Aydon
No. 18: Tyjon Lindsey
No. 17: Isaiah Dunn
No. 16: David Morris
No. 15: Trevon Bradford
No. 14: Gus Lavaka
No. 13: Tristan Gebbia
No. 12: Artavis Pierce
No. 11: Brandon Kipper
No. 10: Blake Brandel
No. 9: Jalen Moore
No. 8: Noah Togiai
No. 7: Jesiah Irish
No. 6: Avery Roberts
No. 5: Hamilcar Rashed Jr.
No. 4: Isaiah Hodgins
--Nick Daschel | ndaschel@oregonian.com | @nickdaschel
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