Beavs lose several corners

Not everything went according to plan for Oregon State Wednesday.

Rivals three-star cornerback Cleveland Wallace surprised a few folks when he chose to sign with Washington after originally committing to Oregon State.

"They [Wallace's family] called me this morning and I thought he was coming, and then a little bit later he had decided something else," head coach Mike Riley said.

Wallace wasn't the only defensive back to flip-flop on the Beavers.

Four-star corner Devian Shelton signed with the University of Southern California and three-star corner Kentrell Brice signed with Louisiana Tech.

Both had previously given verbals to Oregon State.

Tyler Hasty, out of Bellevue High School in Washington, ended up being the only corner the Beavers signed.

"I would have liked to sign another corner," Riley said. "At one time we had four corners committed and we ended up with probably only one true corner."

The three corners that flip-flopped all did so after former secondary coach Keith Heyward took a position at Washington in January.

Riley didn't come out and say that Heyward's departure was what led to Wallace, Shelton and Brice's change of heart, but he didn't rule it out, either.

"It might have affected one guy in the class, I would say that's possible," Riley said.

One defensive back that stayed true to their commitment, safety Cyril Noland, was a teammate of Brice's at Ruston High School in Ruston, La.

Noland said Heyward's departure might have played a "minor factor" in Brice's decision, but nothing more than that.

Noland, one of three safeties the Beavers signed, was "shocked" when he heard Heyward was leaving, but not discouraged.

"I talked about it with my parents and came to the conclusion that Oregon State was still a good fit," Noland said. "It would have been nice to play for him, don't get me wrong, but life goes on."

Riley echoed that last sentiment Wednesday.

"We're getting past [Heyward's departure and lost commits] today," he said. "We're on to the next deal."

Grady Garrett, sports editor

Twitter: @gradygarrett

sports@dailybarometer.com