Oregon State Beavers
2020 NFL Draft Prospects
Blake Brandel, OT
Positives: Fundamentally sound college tackle who may be best inside at guard. Keeps his feet moving, shows the ability to slide off the edge and adjusts to knock pass rushers from their angles of attack. Patient in pass protection, works to stays square and plays through the whistle. Very quick with his hands, keeps his feet moving and blocks with leverage. Nicely redirects to opponents in motion.
Negatives: Overextends into blocks and lacks balance. Does not play with a nasty attitude or show a lot of confidence on the field. Must get stronger.
Analysis: I graded Brandel as a draftable prospect after his sophomore season two years ago, but he really did not show much development in the seasons to come. Brandel must get stronger and learn to play with more consistency for a chance to make it out of camp this summer.
Isaiah Hodgins, WR
Positives: Tall, sure-handed receiver who offers an imposing target. Finds a way to come back into the clearing to make himself an available target, makes the difficult catch in a crowd and comes away with a lot of acrobatic receptions. Extends his hands to offer the quarterback a target, makes the reception away from his frame for the most part and quickly turns upfield after the catch. Displays the ability to pull the fastball from the air. Uses his frame to shield away defenders, adjusts to the errant throw and makes the reception in stride. Tracks the pass in the air and looks the ball into his hands.
Negatives: Lacks a quick release off the line of scrimmage, runs poor routes and cannot separate from opponents. One-speed receiver with literally no burst. Tested poorly at the combine. Must pick up the intensity as a blocker.
Analysis: Hodgins was a terrific receiver at the college level, but he comes with speed and athletic limitations. His size and ability to win out for the contested grab is imposing, but I don’t see Hodgins being able to develop into anything other than a No. 4 receiver at the next level.
Gus Lavaka, G
Positives: Wide-bodied blocker who gets the most from his ability. Fires off the snap, shows explosiveness at the point and gives effort. Stays square, keeps his feet moving and knocks defenders from the action. Flashes the ability to get out to the second level and take on linebackers.
Negatives: Really doesn’t sink his butt at the line of scrimmage. Stiff and struggles to adjust.
Analysis: Lavaka is a size prospect who was a solid player for Oregon State, but he can only play in a small area. He’s a practice-squad prospect who could surprise in camp this summer.
Jake Luton, QB
Positives: Nice-sized pocket passer who comes off a terrific senior campaign. Patient in the pocket, keeps his eyes downfield and spreads the ball around to all his targets. Sells ball fakes, goes through progressions and finds the open wideout. Takes the safe underneath outlet when nothing else is available and doesn’t make poor choices. Accurate and does not make receivers work hard to come away with the reception. Has a quick release, gets the ball immediately out of his hands and shows the ability to accurately place deep outs. Effectively controls the offense and naturally looks off the safety.
Negatives: Doesn’t have a big arm and has passes sail high of the mark when he tries to put extra speed on them. Doesn’t pick up much yardage with his feet.
Analysis: Luton was graded as a street free agent by NFL scouts entering the season, but he took his game to the next level and showed great progress. He possesses the size and wherewithal as well as enough arm strength to develop into a third quarterback at the next level.
Jalen Moore, S
Positives: Instinctive safety who comes off an injury-plagued campaign. Displays a solid head for the ball, works to get involved and makes a lot of plays based on effort. Quick to read and diagnose, gives effort against the run and wraps up tackling. Plays physical football.
Negatives: Displays poor speed and average range. More of a downhill, small-area safety. Possesses average ball skills.
Analysis: Scouts graded Moore as a priority free agent entering the season, but injury hampered his development. He possesses the size and mentality to be used as a traditional strong safety and line up on special teams.
Artavis Pierce, RB
Positives: Productive running back who can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Keeps his feet moving, squeezes through small openings in the offensive line and falls forward when tackled. Displays a burst through the hole, runs with authority and gives effort. Solid pass catcher who adjusts to the errant throw and snatches the ball away from his frame.
Negatives: More of a straight-line runner who loses a lot of momentum when he changes direction. Indecisive.
Analysis: Pierce was a solid college running back who shows no outstanding single skill that projects to the next level.
Noah Togiai, TE
Positives: Underrated tight end prospect with big upside. Plays tough, nasty football, works to come away with the reception and gives effort as a blocker. Adjusts to the errant throw, extends his hands and makes the reception away from his frame. Keeps the play in bounds after the catch.
Negatives: Must be more cognizant of his assignments as a blocker. Really doesn’t play to his 40 time. Drops catchable throws.
Analysis: Togiai was not on scouts’ radar coming into the season, but he’s a solid athlete with a basketball background and a good amount of upside. He must improve every aspect of his game, but he shows enough flashes to be given practice-squad consideration this fall.
View more scouting reports
Page 2: Arizona Wildcats
Page 3: Arizona State Sun Devils
Page 4: California Golden Bears
Page 4: Colorado Buffaloes
Page 5: Oregon Ducks
Page 6: Oregon State Beavers
Page 7: Stanford Cardinal
Page 7: UCLA Bruins
Page 8: USC Trojans
Page 9: Utah Utes
Page 10: Washington Huskies
Page 11: Washington State Cougars