Randy Rasmussen

By Nick Daschel | The Oregonian/OregonLive

CORVALLIS – Oregon State wrapped up Monday’s practice with 20 minutes of 11-on-11, a session decidedly dominated by the Beavers defense.

Coach Jonathan Smith, speaking to the media for the first time since preseason camp opened Friday, said don’t look too much into that.

“That’s how fall camp is going to be. One side does a little better at the end, but as a group, I think we’re making progress,” Smith said.

Progress, not to mention some attrition and injury issues four days into camp. There were two significant personnel issues to emerge Monday.

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Junior tight end Tuli Wily-Matagi has decided to retire from football for personal reasons, Smith said. Last season as a sophomore, Wily-Matagi – who is primarily a blocking tight end – started three games, played in all 12, and caught six passes for 54 yards.

Defensively, junior end Jeromy Reichner will be out “for a while,” Smith says, after suffering an undisclosed injury during Sunday’s closed practice. Smith said the injury isn’t season-ending, but don’t expect to see Reichner play in the first couple games

Reichner, a junior college transfer, is in the mix for a starting berth.

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With Reichner working out in a small group with the strength and conditioning coaches, the Beavers defense shined during portions of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11. During the stretch drive, the OSU defense turned back the offense on every drive but one, and even that was a drive ending with a field goal attempt.

Defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar “is really good at what he does. He got those guys knowing what they’re doing, and playing with great effort,” Smith said.

Outside linebackers Hamilcar Rashed Jr. and Kee Whetzel were particular active in providing a pass rush, a sore spot for the Beavers a year ago. Smith was also smiling about what he’s witnessed from the secondary, mostly in terms of body count.

During spring practice, many of the team’s prominent defensive backs were sidelined with injuries. Except for safety Omar Onu-Hicks, all are back for preseason camp.

“You can tell the group is larger and they can practice longer,” Smith said.

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More notes and observations from Monday’s practice:

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Chase Allgood

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The starting quarterback is?

Smith is in no hurry to name a starting quarterback, a point he reiterated Monday. Coming into camp, it appeared to be battle between senior Jake Luton, sophomore Conor Blount and junior college transfer Jack Colletto, with Luton having the edge in experience.

After four days, Smith gave no hint of a pecking order.

“There’s been some consistency in knowing where to go with the ball. Haven’t been perfect by any means, but I think they’ve progressed,” Smith said. “You can tell the comfort level they’ve gotten over the summer, all those guys.

“Conor had some good throws today. Luton has been pretty consistent all four days, and Colletto, you can tell the jump he’s made. He has really improved in comfort level.”

As for naming a starter, Smith said “we’d like to narrow it down in the middle of camp, ideally … we’ll make a decision when we’re ready to make a decision.”

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Alex Gallardo | Associated Press

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Play of the day

Probably the best throw during 11-on-11 came from Blount, who hit a tightly-covered Isaiah Hodgins with a 30-yard pass just as he was going out-of-bounds. The play put the offense into scoring territory and, eventually, a chance to kick a field goal.

By the way, it took three tries for Jordan Choukair to convert a 45-yard field goal. The first two kicks missed to the right, though the first try came after a bad snap.

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Chase Allgood

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Quotable

Smith, on 5-foot-5, 143-pound receiver Champ Flemings: “I know he’s undersized, but the guy is tough. He’s not afraid to put his face in there and block somebody. He’s a weapon.”

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OSU athletics

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Payne back?

Safety Landry Payne is seeking a sixth year through a medical redshirt after filing paperwork with the NCAA. Payne has been cleared to practice, and Smith said they’re “waiting to get positive word back about participating in games.”

Payne, a junior college transfer, missed most of the 2016 season with a knee injury. Payne played in 10 games, starting once, last season.

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Chase Allgood

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Close to a return

Tight end Noah Togiai, who is expected to be the starter, is close to going full tilt. Smith said each day Togiai, who is recovering from an ankle injury, is practicing a bit longer.

“We’re hoping in the next few days he can go the whole time,” Smith said.

Also on the mend is running back Calvin Tyler Jr., who made a splash during spring ball. Tyler Jr., hobbled by a hamstring injury, should be back in a day or two, Smith said.

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David Zalubowski | Associated Press

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Tight end depth

With Wily-Matagi out of the program, Oregon State is down to eight tight ends, including redshirt freshman Ralph Taufa’asau, who is sidelined with a leg injury.

“We’d like to have some more guys in that room. We like the guys in the room, but just a higher number of guys,” Smith said.

For now, there are no plans to move a player from another position to tight end, but Smith said it’s something they’ll consider.

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Chase Allgood

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Running with the 1s

Smith gave no timetable as to when the Beavers will release a depth chart, saying “we’re going to let these guys compete.” But he also added that “when the depth chart comes out it’s not going to be a shock to anybody around here.”

To that end, here’s who appear to be running with the first unit on offense:

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QB: Luton or Blount

RB: Artavis Pierce

WR: Isaiah Hodgins, Timmy Hernandez, Trevon Bradford

OL: Sumner Houston (center), Yanni Demogerontas and Gus Lavaka (guards), Blake Brandel and Trent Moore (tackles).

Defensively, there’s still a lot of shuffling up front, but the players who seem to be most prominent among the starting group are defensive end Jaelen Bush, tackles Elu Aydon and Isaac Hodgins, plus Whetzel and Rashed Jr. as outside linebackers.

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Up next

Day 5 of preseason camp takes place Tuesday. It’s our first chance to talk to the offensive coaches since practice started last Friday, as well as select offensive players.