Oregon State football position preview: Defensive tackle

Stopping the run requires interior defensive line performance, and the Oregon State struggled hard in 2024.

The Beavers gave up around 186 rushing yards per game, ranking 107th in the nation. Additionally, OSU finished worst in the category with only seven sacks overall, and that same set of defensive tackles only managed 1.5 sacks during the season.

Lack of execution was a major factor in the difficulty, but five of the Beavers’ best defensive tackles missed the season or were injured because of off-field issues. With the return of that staff and a little strengthened position in the portal, OSU anticipates a major improvement in 2025.

Chart of projected DT depth:

Jacob Schuster (R-Sr.), Tahjae Mullix (R-Jr.), and Thomas Collins (R-So.)

Tygee Hill (R-Jr.), Jojo Johnson (R-So.), and DTTevita Pome e (R-So.)

Grade of position: C+

Evaluation:

It’s difficult to look at the Beavers defensive tackles on paper and not notice what OSU coaches think will be significant interior improvements when they’re healthy. However, that depends on a young position group’s future, and a few injuries could put its depth to the test.

As he moves from his second to third season in the program out of Gothenburg, Sweden, Collins in particular is someone the Beavers are hoping will have a breakout year. Due to last year’s injuries, Pome E, a former Oregon transfer, is also starting his sophomore season as a redshirt.

Even though there was little output, the OSU defensive lineman saw that trial by fire as a good thing.

In order to better serve certain position groupings, OSU also reorganized its coaching staff. The Beavers now have a defensive tackle room and a separate room for edge rushers, each under a different assistant coach, in place of a single large defensive line room. That customized approach might be beneficial for growth.

Tahjae Mullix, a transfer from Western Carolina, is one of the newcomers, while Jojo Johnson is another returner that coaches were thrilled with in the spring. If the Beavers are not seeing the changes they are hoping for, the group’s makeup may change during the season.

Additional previews for OSU positions:

RB|WR|TE|OL|EDGE|ILB|CB QB|RB|WR

Early previews of OSU’s opponents:

First game: California

Second Game: Fresno State

Texas Tech in Game 3

Houston in Game 5

Appalachian State in Game 6

Wake Forest in Game 7

Lafayette in Game 8

Washington State in Games 9/12

Sam Houston State in Game 10

Tulsa in Game 11

–For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon State Beavers. You may contact him on Twitter at X:@RyanTClarke or by email at RClarke@Oregonian.com. His Bluesky handle is @ryantclarke.bsky.social.

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