CORVALLIS - The showpiece example of what the Oregon State football team can do for a player over the course of his career is Andy Levitre.

All 20 of the OSU seniors playing their last game together in the Sun Bowl have stories of maturity on and off the field, but Levitre's is one of quietly becoming a national standout in all the right ways.

The senior offensive lineman is one of the top players in the country at his position, one of the better scholastic players on the team and the kind of leader coaches love.

His departure after the Dec. 31 postseason game against Pittsburgh is a sad one for the Beavers, but one they can look at proudly.

"If I was a young lineman I would watch everything Andy Levitre did," offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "Scholastically, in the weight room, conditioning, on the field preparation and off the field preparation; I encourage all the young guys that he's the guy I would mold myself after."

Levitre came to OSU for the 2004 season out of San Lorenzo High in the Bay Area, rated as a two-star (out of five) athlete by Rivals.com. The recruiting Web site called him a sleeper prospect.

He turned out to be a second-team Associated Press All-American who has been invited to play in the Jan. 24 Senior Bowl, a postseason all-star game for only the top NFL prospects.

"He's really well-liked and well-thought of by the scouts," said coach Mike Riley, a former NFL head coach. "I think his future possibilities are excellent. He is a very good all-around football player. The right team and right time, he'll make it and play."

NFL Draft Countdown projects Levitre as the third best offensive guard available in April's draft, and the No. 57 prospect overall. He's a versatile blocker, who has played tackle the last two years.

His draft ranking is the best of an OSU player, over cornerback Keenan Lewis at No. 85 and wide receiver Sammie Stroughter at No. 93.

"I think about (the draft) every once in a while," Levitre said. "When it comes down to it, the only control you have over it is the way you play on the field. I'm just going to let everything fall into place. When it comes down to it, nobody knows what's going to happen. I'm going to play and hope for the best for next season."

Levitre possesses size at 6-foot-3 and 317 pounds, intelligence and a will to learn. He used those attributes well over the years and was pegged as a key member of the line early.

Levitre's ability to understand the offense quickly allowed him to change positions on the line, filling in for older players when they were injured. Levitre played guard, tackle and tight end before eventually settling in at tackle as a junior.

"He's an intelligent guy," Cavanaugh said. "You don't have to tell Andy Levitre anything twice. That's what the great ones do. It's his great work ethic and athletic ability. He has all the tools you are looking for - feet, balance, power. He's a real athletic guy for a big fella."

Levitre took advantage of his time at OSU in the classroom, starting out as a business major. While taking his lower division classes he found out he also enjoyed sociology.

So he went for a double major. With one online class in the winter term, he will complete it. To get there, Levitre took on a heavy academic load his junior season.

"That was the worst year," Levitre said. "I was swamped in school. But other than that, I sailed along."

Even with extra credits his junior year, he was still able to earn a spot on the Pacific-10 Conference all-academic team for four seasons.

Levitre is starting to feel the change in his life during bowl practice with the students gone.

Plans are being made for after the bowl game to train for a probable invitation to the NFL combine, where scouts test athletes on physical and mental ability.

"It's all coming to an end now," Levitre said. "I'm going to enjoy the last couple weeks with my friends, teammates and coaches. I had a great time the past four-and-a-half years. I don't regret anything I've done since I've been here. I've had a great time."

For now it's one more game to open holes for the running game and protect the passer.

Levitre hopes to make it a memorable one. The Beavers have won two bowl games with him blocking, and he wants to go undefeated in the postseason as a way to say goodbye.

"We are going to miss him, and wish him the best," Cavanaugh said. "I believe he has a bright future. He has been a fun guy to coach. He bought into everything. I expect big things down the road."