A week after Oregon State coach Gary Andersen announced true freshman quarterback Seth Collins would be out for the season, that no longer appears to be the case.
Collins practiced Monday, according to Gina Mizell of The Oregonian, and the news came with an additional twist: Collins was working out at wide receiver, not quarterback.
Andersen didn't confirm Collins would play in the Civil War against Oregon on Friday, but indicated it is a possibility.
Gary Andersen says OSU may get a couple players thought out for season back for CW, & Seth Collins might be one of them.
— Building the Dam (@BuildingTheDam) November 23, 2015What does this mean?
Probably not much in terms of how competitive the Beavers will be with Oregon, but a full-time move to receive might not be a bad option for Collins. He showed big-play ability before getting hurt, but that had nothing to do with his skills as a passer. Receiver just seems like a more natural fit and a position he's better suited to play at the Pac-12 level.
Despite missing the last four games with a hyperextended knee, Collins remains the Beavers leading rusher (99 carries, 536 yards, five touchdowns). He began splitting time with Nick Mitchell against Colorado on Oct. 24, the last game he played, and the two were expected to continue to split time.
Mitchell and Marcus McMaryion have split time over the last three weeks and have combined to complete 33 of 83 passes (39.8 percent) for 434 yards. The Beavers (2-9, 0-8 Pac-12) have lost eight straight since a 35-21 win against San Jose State on Sept. 19 and have not played a competitive game since losing 27-12 to Utah on Halloween.