Redshirt freshman counted upon to provide depth on line

By Cliff Kirkpatrick
Corvallis Gazette-Times

Andy Levitre is considered the sixth man, but he wants a promotion.

Levitre is the most versatile offensive lineman for the Oregon State football team. The redshirt freshman has been asked to learn every position in the trenches, including tight end.

He's listed as the second string left tackle, left guard and right guard. Coach Mike Riley says if one of the starters goes down for whatever reason, Levitre is the guy he sends into the game.

"We've always felt Andy was very capable to fit in there with our top five guys," Riley said. "We've played him around quite a bit and really like him as a player."

Levitre is a 6-foot-3, 330-pounder from Felton, Calif. He possesses the size to play guard, and the mobility for tackle and to pull along the line on blocks.

Riley has been eager to play him since last year. Levitre was part of the 2004 offensive linemen class that's expected to be the foundation of the team for the next four seasons. They include left guard Jeremy Perry, center Adam Speer and right tackle Tavita Thompson.

All of them were groomed last season as redshirts. Perry already earned a starting job, while Levitre has played significantly against Portland State and Louisville.

"I think it's going better than I thought it would for me," Levitre said. "There are more opportunities open right now. I feel pretty good about being able to (start). I hope so. It's not my choice, but I'm going to fight for it. I'm going to do what I can."

Levitre was happy with his redshirt season because he needed the time to develop, mature and learn the offense. And now he feels ready to challenge for starting time.

He trimmed down and bulked up since arriving in Corvallis, adding 10 pounds in the offseason.

"Andy is a real hard worker," junior right tackle Josh Linehan said. "He worked the hardest of everybody this summer and winter. He's really coming along and will be a very good lineman."

Levitre's Portland State experience went smooth in the second half of the game. The Beavers were in control early, so there wasn't much pressure on him in his first career appearance.

"It felt just like practice," Levitre said. "It was against their backups, I think. I did a pretty good job."

His next action came in the second half last weekend at Louisville, replacing left tackle Adam Koets. Koets struggled due to a chronic wrist injury.

So Levitre was thrown into the fire.

"We just decided to put him in," Riley said. "Adam has had a little trouble with his wrist and we thought it was a good time to give Andy some playing time."

It was a rough day for Levitre, and the entire OSU team, because the Louisville defensive line was so dominant. He was pleased with some aspects of his game, but realizes there's plenty of work ahead.

And if Koets doesn't recover in time for Saturday night's game with No. 18 Arizona State, Levitre must be ready to go. He mixed in with the first string during Wednesday's practice.

"I think he did fine," Riley said of his Louisville performance. "He did some good things, and he's got some things to continue to work on. He'll get better."

Levitre is a little behind because of all the position changes, but that comes with being so versatile, physically and mentally.

He started out as a right tackle at San Lorenzo Valley High. Levitre was named to various all-league, county, region and state teams.

When he arrived at OSU, Levitre worked out at right guard. Learning the position was a slow process because he was accustomed to the view from the outside. He felt a little crowded playing inside.

"It was difficult at first, but I'm picking up on things," Levitre said. "The right side was more natural at first, but now it's the left side."

Then standout tight end Joe Newton went down in the preseason with a season-ending leg injury, and the Beavers were light at that position. Blocking on short yardage was one of the major concerns.

Having an extra blocker at times, who's big and mobile, would help. So Levitre picked up another play book to study.

But is there a fear of being a jack-of-all-trades, but master of none?

"It's just the way (the coaches) want me to play," Levitre said. "I just try and get in the game where I can. It doesn't really bother me having to learn so many positions. It would be easier to know one position, but knowing all of them helps me in the long-run."