Leading rusher from Pac-12 declares for 2022 NFL Draft

Oregon State Beavers redshirt junior running back B.J. Baylor is declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft according to Matt Zenitz of On3. Baylor was one of the top breakout players within the Pac-12 this season, leading the conference in rushing with 1,337 yards.

Before the 2021 season, Baylor only had 81 times for 381 yards and five touchdowns. He surpassed his career total this season less than four games into the season and matched his touchdown total after two games.

Baylor was a three-star prospect on the On3 Consensus coming out of high school. He was redshirted his freshman season and patiently waited for his turn to breakout in the Beavers’ offense. Now, after his fantastic season in Corvallis, Baylor will be looking to become the program’s sixth draft pick in the last three years.

Oregon State Beavers extend head coach Jonathan Smith an extension

It appears Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith will be sticking around his alma mater for a few more years.

Smith, who is in his fourth year in Corvallis, will sign a new deal through the 2027 season.

“The new contract includes a strong investment for staff and support staff,” Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports tweeted on Friday.

Smith’s 2021 salary was just $2.5 million, making him the lowest-paid Power Five coach in the country. Smith had four years remaining on his current contract, a deal which was renegotiated in 2019.

“Coach Smith has led the resurgence of our football program in a way that has made all of Beaver Nation proud,” athletic director Scott Barnes said in a statement. “Their steady growth, improvement and success on the field, in the classroom and the community is apparent. A strong foundation has been laid for success and the future of Beaver football is bright due to Coach Smith’s leadership.”

Smith was the offensive coordinator at Washington prior to taking the Oregon State job, but he has said he is not a candidate for the job opening in Seattle.