Linebacker Skotte ready to impress for Beavers
Before committing to Oregon State, Joel Skotte helped lead Mountain View to the 2011 Class 5A state title.
He was ranked the 30th best inside linebacker in the country and the fifth-best prospect in Oregon.
Now in his sophomore year, he’s the likely candidate to be the Beavers starting middle linebacker this season.
Last year, Joel Skotte played in all 13 games as a true freshman for Oregon State, mainly on special teams, as he recorded seven tackles and forced one fumble.
That playing time early on has definitely helped him prepare for this season as he looks to replace Feti Unga as starting middle linebacker.
“I feel a lot more comfortable in my reads, in my speed and I put on some weight in the off-season, some good weight, so I feel good out there,” Beavers linebacker Joel Skotte said.
The biggest difference between high school and college football, players say, is the speed of the game.
And that’s where Joel knows having a year under his belt helps him the most.
“When I was first out here, everything was happening so fast,” Skotte said. “You had to read, you’ve got to remember what to do on each play and now it’s finally starting to slow down. I can see things better.”
Josh Williams was poised to be Joel’s main competition for that sporting spot, but he was kicked off the team for a violation of team rules before the start of fall camp.
But that hasn’t changed Joel’s mindset as he works to win the starting job.
“There’s never a time to relax, especially out here at this level. We’re always competing, we’re always trying to keep our jobs, so nothing’s changed,” Skotte said.
Joel said he was too light to play middle linebacker last year, so he put on 15 pounds in the off-season in an effort to get faster and stronger — and has impressed not only his fellow linebackers, but head coach Mike Riley as well.
“He’s athletic. He’s a big kid that can run. But I think mostly I like his diligence. I think he’s got great intentions. He’s a hard worker. He cares,” Riley said.
“He’s matured and he knows what he has to do and he knows the big shoes that he has to fill with Feti being gone, so he’s stepped up to the plate,” strongside linebacker D.J. Alexander said.
“He’s also really smart. He’s really fast. He’s got all the physical tools, but he’s also got all the mental pieces that you need,” former Mountain View teammate John Carroll said. “He’ll run through a brick wall if you tell him, so I know he’ll do whatever it takes to get the job.”
With the first game only 17 days away on August 31st against Eastern Washington, Joel can’t wait to run out of the tunnel as the starting man in the middle.
“I can see a couple days before that game a little butterflies, but those are good. I’m pretty confident going into this season right now,” Skotte said.
