CORVALLIS - Oregon State has started spring football practice without one of its top returning defensive players.

OSU coach Jonathan Smith told reporters Wednesday after practice that senior outside linebacker Bright Ugwoegbu has been suspended indefinitely. Smith declined to further elaborate on the reason for the suspension.

Without Ugwoegbu at the Beavers' first spring practice, a majority of on-field reps at outside linebacker went to Andrzej Hughes-Murray, Hamilcar Rashed, Kee Whetzel and Kameron Carroll. Shemiah Unutoa-Whitson has medically retired, along with inside linebacker Kesi Ah-hoy, per athletic department spokesman Steve Fenk.

Ugwoegbu has started 20 games in his OSU career, the most of any returning defensive player and the third-most on the roster behind offensive tackle Blake Brandel (24) and center Sumner Houston (22).

Ugwoegbu had a breakout season in 2016, tallying 54 tackles and team highs of 11 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks despite missing three games with a season-ending ankle injury. His backfield disruption dipped last season, when he played all 12 games and finished with 55 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.

The season came during a time of personal turbulence. Ugwoegbu's childhood home in Katy, Texas, was flooded last August during Hurricane Harvey and his family was forced to evacuate.

Originally recruited by Mike Riley's staff, Ugwoegbu vocally advocated for Cory Hall to remain head coach but elected to stay for his senior season rather than transfer as a graduate student.

-- Danny Moran