Sean Canfield wants to regain his starting position

Sean Canfield aired it out for the first time in seven months of rehab and healing.

And it felt good.

The quarterback returned to the practice field Friday afternoon when training camp opened for the Oregon State football team. It was his first team workout since playing in the Emerald Bowl in December.

Soon after that game, he had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. The sophomore sat out spring practice because he couldn’t lift his arm above his shoulder in April.

He threw balls to receivers three times a week during the summer, and says the arm felt strong. There hasn’t been any soreness the day after.

“It feels good, but I’m still rehabbing,” Canfield said. “It’s a gradual process. Now I’m benching. I can’t do any (heavy lifts over his head), but it’s not like I do that (in games) anyway. But it has been a major difference since the spring.”

Canfield plans to push his arm during training camp. He never threw full speed during the summer because there was no need, but there is now as the Beavers are less than four weeks away from their season opener.

His focus has been working on fundamentals and building up his 6-foot-4, 220-pound body. Now he’s zeroing in on getting his rhythm back.

“Sean did an excellent job with the rehab and getting back into shape,” coach Mike Riley said. “His doctor said he was way ahead a long time ago. I thought Sean did a great job his first day out since the Emerald Bowl.”

There’s some pressure on the former starter to recover quickly. His injury forced him to miss the final three regular season games and he only played in the Emerald Bowl because of an emergency relief situation.

While out his backup, Lyle Moevao, led the Beavers to three complete game wins, including a victory in Autzen Stadium against Oregon. Moevao begins camp as the starter, and will remain so as long as he continues to play well.

“I just want to get better, and have some fun out there,” Canfield said. “We’ll see what happens in camp, but I expect a full recovery. I just want to build off of today. I was able to make all the throws.”

Moevao had a productive spring, improving his decision making and playing faster, while Canfield watched. Canfield wants to reclaim his spot, but he’s already behind.

Canfield’s arm — if healthy — can stretch the field. Riley’s offense is designed to have a legit threat of the long bomb, and that was missing last year, which made games more difficult.

However, Moevao showed natural leadership qualities that helped the team rally behind him, and he has a knack for beating the odds.

“It’s going to be a competition, like it was last year,” Canfield said. “I’m looking to compete for it again this year.”

Riley will keep an open mind about who wins the starting position, but plans on deciding on a No. 1 starter and not let it drag into the season like it did last year, when a two-quarterback system was used briefly.

There is not one thing Canfield or Moevao must do to solidify their position, it’s just something that happens.

“It’s a kind of process type thing that is not any one thing that all of a sudden happens,” Riley said. “It’s a process you get a feel for. I’m just glad to have both of them play last year, and (they) did some good things. Then learn from the bad things that happened. And they are all better for it.”

At this level, the idea of the starter not losing his job due to injury doesn’t come into play. The Beavers need wins and they want to start the season faster than they have in recent years.

Whoever is hot going into the Aug. 28 opener at Stanford will get the call.

“It is what it is,” Canfield said. “No matter how you look at it, I missed the spring and Lyle came in when I got hurt and did a good job. The only things I can do are just focus on me, and have some fun.”

QUARTERBACK BREAKDOWN

No. 3 Lyle Moevao: Starts camp at the top of the mountain, after going 3-0 as a starter to end the regular season. His leadership gets the most out of his teammates.

No. 5 Sean Canfield: Won the starting job before a torn labrum forced him out until emergency fill-in duty at the Emerald Bowl. He’s trying to regain his spot.

No. 12 Ryan Katz: The early arrival last spring gave him an edge in settling in, and was impressive in practice. The goal is to redshirt to let him learn more.

No. 4 Kaulin Krebs: Signed two years ago but went on a Mormon mission. He’ll need a year to get back in shape and learn the system.

Walk-ons: No. 14 Brennan Sim, No. 16 Justin Engstrom, No. 17 Zach Anderson