Just three days ahead of their opener, Oregon State has lost some depth along the offensive line, both The Oregonian and Corvallis Times-Gazette are reporting.
Due to personal issues, junior left tackle Brent McNeil has suddenly left the program. Head coach Mike Riley said it was McNeil’s decision to leave.
McNeil, the nephew of former UCLA and NFL running back Freeman McNeil, had been listed as the backup to true freshman Michael Philipp, but the Times-Gazette writes that McNeil had been working with the No. 3 offense in practice this week.
McNeil is engaged to be married and is also expecting a child, but it’s unclear what, if any, role that personal situation played in his departure. The Oregonian also reported that McNeil had dealt with academic issues as well this offseason.
Thanks to an injury to his toe, McNeil redshirted last season after transferring in from a junior college.