The staff at Oregon State has proven adept at overcoming some of the challenges presented by the California and Arizona Pac-10 schools.  For one, the OSU program is just starting, from a perception standpoint, to shed its losing status even though it has become one of the most successful programs over the past few years. 

Second, many of the kids have heard of Oregon more than Oregon State because Oregon has used more dollars in marketing themselves.  Thirdly, the weather in the Beaver State gets a bad rap from the competition and lastly, since Corvallis is a small town, the perception can be made that it is too small.

With geography and perception challenging the coaches, one of the first tactics the coaches have is the use of information. They can educate the recruits and their parents that OSU is one of the most successful programs in the Pac-10 in the last few years.

For example, OSU has a five game bowl winning streak, the second longest streak in the nation, is one of 10 programs to finish in the Top 25 the last three seasons and ever game was televised in 2008.

After that comes the selling points of playing in Corvallis. A college town provides the opportunity to focus on football and academics, while not having to worry about distractions or getting into trouble. OSU tying for placing the most members on the Pac-10 All-Academic team in 2008 bears that out. Meanwhile, the OSU campus is beautiful. With a renovated stadium, a new, state-of-the-art weight room and an indoor practice facility, Oregon State has some of the top facilities in the Pac-10 and country.

Following the selling points of Corvallis, the development of the football player and the stability of the staff is a key tool the coaches can use -- Mike Riley is under contract until 2015 and has said he will likely retire in Corvallis. Mark Banker, as each passing year shows, is one of the top defensive coordinators in the nation while o-line coach Mike Cavanaugh has a knack for helping a player realize their greatest potential.

The Beavers routinely put several players on All-America and All-Pac-10 teams and have, at a minimum, a couple of guys drafted each year.

Next comes the Beaver football identity. A big part of that identity is a strong blue collar work ethic and sometimes an underdog mentality. For example, just because the Beavers don't get as much press or as many top recruits as USC doesn't mean they can't beat them every year.

An Oregon State football player is never intimidated and never backs down. And recently the players have realized that they have the talent level to compete for the Pac-10 championship year in and year out.

If the recruit likes what they hear getting them onto the campus is the next step.

One the best selling points of the OSU football program is its family-like atmosphere. Many recruits have come away from the Mid Valley impressed with the chemistry between the players and coaches. The positive atmosphere is contagious and makes a recruit want to be part of the Beaver football family.

• Small town which makes it easy focus on school and football
• Beautiful campus and town
• An up and coming program with a renovated stadium and weight lifting facility
• Excellent support from the community with lots of orange in the stands and around town

• Small town
• Wet, cold weather in the fall
• Not as prestigious as other Pac-10 institutions
• Lack of tradition

There are many things that a recruits looks for when choosing a school. Here are several questions a recruit may ask:

• Is the school close to family and friends?
• Are a school's games televised nationally?
• Is there stability on the coaching staff?
• How many players do they put in the NFL?
• Do they have a degree for the subject I want to major in?
• What does the depth chart look like at my position?
• What is the track record for the coaches and developing a player's skill set?
• Is the town rabid about the football team?
• What conference does the team play in?

If the Beavers receive an early verbal it usually means that the recruit has known for awhile where they wanted to play and they won't be changing their minds. Some recruits from the state of Oregon fall into this category. Or the recruit jumps at an early offer. Sometimes they find out they made a brazen decision as more offers that they like better start to roll in.

Early verbal's are good, especially if it is from a big time recruit, as that usually builds momentum and can sometimes cause a domino effect with several big name recruits verbal ling to a school. On the other hand an early verbal means the coaches have to "baby sit" the athlete as other schools will try to sweep in and steal the player away.

Recruiting strengths: Defensive units ranked first in the Pac-10 Conference against the run, for quarterback sacks and tackle for loss yardage in 2005 and 2006.....coached at USC with Riley...has been with Riley for over 12 years ...has coached over 30 All-Pac-10 players including 2003 Pac-10 Freshman of the Year CB Brandon Browner...helped recruit four time All-American Dennis Weathersby.

Recruiting strengths:  Has ties in Nevada after spending three seasons as the running backs coach at UNLV...has NFL experience as he played two years in San Diego and spent three years as the Chargers' speed and strength coach...has plenty of Pac-10 experience as he played for the University of Washington from 1994-98 leading the Huskies to four bowl games.

MIKE CAVANAUGH | Offensive Line
Recruiting Areas: Arizona | Hawaii

Recruiting strengths: Hard nosed, detail oriented coach who pushes his players hard and gets the most out of them...13  players, including Andy Levite, Roy Scheming and Jeremy Perry have earned Pac-10 conference honors ...has collegiate experience all over the country including six years at the University of Hawaii and various stints on the east coast...has NFL experienced serving as offensive line coach for two years in San Diego...brother in-law is the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants.

Recruiting strengths: The youngest member of the staff...can relate to players as he started 35 consecutive games at Oregon State and was part of No. 4 OSU team in 2000...has professional experience playing in NFL Europe and the AFL.

Recruiting strengths:  Has NFL experience as he spent three years in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints; dad has is a scout with the San Diego Chargers...can relate to athletes as he played at Boise State and Infield at quarterback for Infield in 1994 and 1995 earning All-Northwest Conference team honors as a junior.

Recruiting strengths: Superb track record in Oregon as a coach and player ...coached 10 years at Infield compiling a 84-18 record, including a streak of 41 consecutive wins...five-time Northwest Conference Coach of the Year...led the Wildcats to the 2004 NCAA Division III title ...coached 16 All-Americans at Linfield...can relate to athletes as he was a First Team All-Pacific-8 honors as a defensive end in 1976 and second team in 1975.

Recruiting strengths: Has helped coach and recruit several outstanding players including Richard Seville, Nick Barnett, and James Allen ...energetic, lively coach who has coached every position on defense...has experience in professional football coaching in the Canadian Football League...has ties across the nation coaching at UNLV, Nevada, Hawaii, and New Mexico.

Recruiting strengths: Has an eye for talent with over 15 players currently in the NFL...has NFL experience as he was the head coach of the San Diego Chargers...has plenty of ties across the nation as he played at Alabama and coached at USC...one of the nicest guys in college football ...a player's coach and a straight shooter...2008 Pac-10 Coach of the Year.

Recruiting strengths:  Has numerous California ties after spending one year at San Jose State and four years at Cal Poly University as the defensive line coach...10 players he has coached, including Dorian Smith and Victor Butler, have earned All-Pac-10 honors ...coached the 2007 unit that ranked first in the nation against the run (70.6)...can relate to the players having played four years (1885-88) as a defensive end at the University of Hawaii earning second team All-WAC honors as a senior...has professional football experienced as he played for the CFL and NFL Europe.

BRUCE REED | Special Teams
Recruiting Area: Oregon

Recruiting strengths: -