The Beavers are adding another experienced tight end, and he played briefly for McNary.
Eric Olsen grew up in Salem. His family moved to Utah after his freshman year at McNary High School, and he eventually played four seasons at Utah Tech.
Now, the towering tight end is coming back to his home state.
The redshirt junior Olsen announced a transfer to Oregon State on Wednesday. He figures to be among those competing for the starting tight end spot for the Beavers in 2026 under new head coach JaMarcus Shephard.
Olsen — listed at 6-5, 230 pounds — was far and away the most productive pass catcher in 2025 for the FCS Trailblazers (not to be confused with the Trail Blazers, the NBA team Olsen grew up rooting for). He amassed a team-high 52 receptions for 583 yards and two touchdowns. Though the team, like OSU, finished with a record of 2-10.
Olsen is the second tight end to commit to OSU in the portal so far after Central Michigan’s DeCorion Temple. The Beavers have holes to fill at the position, losing Bryce Caufield to graduation and both Riley Williams and Carson Kolb to the portal as of Wednesday morning.
Keep up with all of Oregon State’s comings and goings in the portal with The Oregonian/OregonLive’s transfer portal tracker.
