Oregon State has lost eight starters from a defense that ranked 23rd in the nation last season (2nd in Pac-10). Ordinarily, a program decimated by that kind of attrition would experience a big drop-off the next year, but this is OSU we are talking about.

Other than USC, is there a program in the Pac-10 that can reload faster than the Beavers? The statistics suggest that the answer is no considering Oregon State has won it’s last five bowl games (longest streak in Pac-10) to go along with three straight top 25 finishes (2nd in Pac-10).

While the Beaver defense must break in an entirely new secondary and three new starters along the defensive line, the linebacking corps is in good shape. Under the guidance of defensive coordinator Mark Banker and LB coach Greg Newhouse, the linebackers at Oregon State have been outstanding for many years and this unit will be no exception.

In fact, this may be one of the stronger groups that Newhouse has had in a while, led by a spectacular senior who is one of the best defensive players in the Pac-10 conference.

Senior Keaton Kristick returns for his final year in Corvallis after a breakout junior season. He finished 2008 second on the team with 82 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and four pass breakups on his way to being named second-team All-Pac 10.

Kristick played sparingly during his first two seasons with the Beavers, recording a total of 32 tackles as an underclassman. As he waited patiently for his chance to become a starter, Kristick mastered coach Banker’s defensive scheme while also learning from accomplished Pac-10 performers like Alan Darlin, Derrick Doggett, and Joey LaRocque.

After taking full advantage of his first season as a starter, Kristick will now be counted on to lead the team in tackles and in the locker room. He will once again man the strongside linebacker spot.

At 6-3 230 pounds, Kristick possesses extraordinary sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability. He blends great athleticism with rare instincts, and that combination allows him to wreak havoc in the opposition’s backfield.

Krisitick also uses his lateral speed and agility in pass coverage, making him a balanced outside linebacker. The Fountain Hills (AZ) native has next-level ability, and he enters the 2009 season as one of America’s best linebackers.

The new middle linebacker this season will be sophomore David Pa’aluhi III. Pa’aluhi demonstrated promising ability at MLB in limited action last season, finishing with a total of 19 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble while also excelling on special teams.

Pa’aluhi’s progress at inside linebacker is even more remarkable considering he has only been playing football since his senior year of high school. His considerable upside has Oregon State coaches very excited about the future of the middle linebacker position at OSU.

At 5-11 233 pounds, Pa’aluhi is a terrific athlete with outstanding speed for a MLB (4.48). He can be a dominating physical presence as well, and has already garnered a reputation as a destructive hitter. Pa’aluhi’s intense power and toughness may have originated during his early years as an amateur kickboxer. The Waianae (HI) native has an extensive background in mixed martial arts, and trained often at the Hakuilua MMA training center that his father owned.

Pa’aluhi enjoyed a stellar spring that allowed him to rise to the top of the depth chart, and the MLB job is now his to lose.

Returning to the Beavers at weakside linebacker are juniors Keith Pankey and Dwight Roberson.

As a sophomore, Pankey started all 13 games and finished with 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one forced fumble. While he was not ultra-productive last season, Pankey’s experience will be a vital asset to a young Beavers defense. He is also an intelligent player who has a much better understanding of the defense than he did during 2008.

At 6-0 222 pounds, Pankey is a tremendous athlete with a great motor. He can really fly at OLB, and should be an asset on the blitz. The Visalia (CA) native was very good during the spring, and will now look to secure the starting weaskide spot again in 2009.

Pushing Pankey hard for playing time is junior Dwight Roberson. Last season, Roberson actually outperformed the incumbent by finishing with 61 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and three forced fumbles. Essentially Roberson acted as a second starter at the weakside position, and he played about as much as Pankey throughout 2008 despite never officially starting.

At 6-0 231 pounds, Roberson brings a slightly more physical style than Pankey, and just as much athleticism. In fact, he was so good last season that the OSU coaches thought about moving Kristick to MLB in order to free up an outside spot for Roberson.

Obviously the rise of Pa’aluhi has changed that plan, but Roberson will still be an important part of the defense. He may not win the starting job this fall, but the Oxnard (CA) native is primed for a big year in 2009.

The main reserve at middle linebacker was expected to be redshirt freshman Tony Wilson, but a serious knee injury has forced him out of fall camp and at least the beginning of the season. While he may still factor in for the Beavers at some point this year, coach Banker has ruled him out for the near future and will therefore move on with others.

Next in line at MLB is junior Walker Vave. Vave played in three games during 2008, and has totaled only two tackles in his career. He originally signed with OSU in 2004, but decided to go on an LDS mission in South America. Now, he will be counted on to step up in a hurry given the lack of depth behind Pa’aluhi.

By the time fall camp is finished, Vave should have far more reps under his belt than in the previous two seasons, but the learning curve will still be steep as he transitions into his new role as a key reserve. At 6-2 240 pounds, the Laie (HI) native has good size for a middle linebacker and could develop into a reliable backup.

Other players competing for time are: junior Keo Camat, sophomore Paul Jones, and freshmen Kameron Krebs, Reggie Williams, Devin Unga, Reuben Robinson, and Zane Norris.

My Take

Greg Newhouse’s linebackers have been excellent over the past few years. In fact, his success at developing quality LB’s is a microcosm of Mike Riley’s coaching philosophy at OSU.

Riley is worth every cent of his rather modest OSU salary, as he has made this program into a model of consistency. While it would be easy to write 2009 off as a rebuilding year for the defense, I refuse to underestimate the Beavers.

The strength of the defense should be at the second level. Every Pac-10 fan that doesn’t know the name Keaton Kristick will learn it soon enough. Not much else needs to be said about him other than the fact that his name belongs with Reggie Carter in any discussion of best LB in the conference.

I am also intrigued by Pa’aluhi, who seems to have an unusual amount of potential. He could very well be this year’s breakout defensive player. The weakside is very stable, with two experienced and reliable performers (Pankey and Roberson) back again.

Overall, expect the stellar productivity at linebacker to continue for Oregon State.