Spring roundtable w/ Riley; position changes

CORVALLIS -- Mike Riley sat down today for a marathon session to talk all things Beavers headed into spring football. There were a lot of news and notes. Perhaps the biggest news was the number of position changes.

This is the first of three articles to be published on BF.C, we'll also have the pre-spring depth chart. With spring ball at Oregon State kicking off on March 29, among the news items coming out of the Corvallis with Mike Riley today:

Kevin Frahm will move from DE to DT. Riley said Frahm has a body probably better suited for that position than defensive end.

Ben Motter has moved from offensive line to defensive tackle.

Redshirt freshman John Braun has been moved from offensive tackle to defensive end

Mitchel Hunt, who is out of with a knee injury, moved from defensive tackle to defensive end

Jordan Poyer is moving to safety from cornerback.

Markus Wheaton will be moving back to the split end position and will battle Darrell Catchings for the starting job. Catchings enters the spring as the starter.

Walk on Aaron Magnunson has moved from offensive guard to center.

Walk on Burke Ellis starts the spring atop the depth chart at right guard.

Walk on Nathan Hannah has been moved from offensive guard to defensive tackle.

Devin Unga will take the first snaps at strongside linebacker with Keith Pankey (Achilles) sitting out the spring. Riley said the doctors are optimistic about a July return for Pankey.

Riley would not name players or talk specifics but said there are "a few" players who are academically on the bubble. An interesting note about OSU and academics Riley said -- in 2008, all 20 seniors graduated on time. There were 18 of 19 seniors who graduated on time in 2009 and this year will see 13 out of 13.

Gabe Miller is fast. In the 10 yard dash, timed electronically, Riley said Miller had the best time on the entire team. The defensive end has had a great offseason, Riley said.

Four of five offensive line positions are set, said Riley, with the one up for grabs being left guard. Colin Kelly is moving from tackle to guard and Riley said he might be the one to watch there.