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Brent VanderVeen, seen last year during spring practice, was originally recruited to Oregon State as a quarterback. He converted to tight end last spring.

(Randy L. Rasmussen/Staff)

CORVALLIS - Oregon State tight end and former quarterback Brent VanderVeen left the football team Monday, less than 24 hours after the team's first spring practice.

VanderVeen participated in the Beavers' first practice but officially decided to leave the team later in the day, according to a team spokesman, who said VanderVeen is expected to remain enrolled at Oregon State and finish his degree.

The senior, who redshirted in 2012, was entering his final year of eligibility. He caught one pass for 14 yards last season during a 44-7 loss at Arizona and attempted the only pass of his career in the same game.

VanderVeen was not expected to start as a senior. While Oregon State has not released a depth chart, sophomore Noah Togiai and senior Caleb Smith each return with more experience at tight end. Togiai started five games as a freshman and caught 10 passes for 73 yards, while Smith missed 10 games last year but has 48 catches for 573 yards in his college career.

The 6-foot-5 California native graduated from Arroyo Grande High School and Rivals graded him as a three-star dual-threat quarterback when he committed to Oregon State in 2011 during the summer before his senior year.

He competed for the role as quarterback Sean Mannion's backup with Luke Del Rio (now at Florida) leading into the 2014 season. After Gary Andersen took over as head coach in December 2014, VanderVeen began spring practice in a competition to replace Mannion as the starter but ultimately converted to tight end.

-- Danny Moran