The Oregon State Beavers are 34 days away from starting the 2024 season on Aug. 31.
The Oregon State Beavers start the 2024 season Aug. 31 at home against Idaho State. The Oregonian/OregonLive will count down the days with mini-profiles of prominent former and current Beavers whose jersey numbers correspond with the days remaining until the opening kickoff.
Today, No. 34: Running backs Steven Jackson and Ryan Nall.
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Bio: The Beavers recruited Jackson out of Eldorado High School (Nevada) in 2001. He went on to become arguably the greatest running back in OSU history.
Key statistics: Jackson eased into his career while backing up Ken Simonton as a freshman in 2001. That year, Jackson rushed for 380 yards and five touchdowns.
He took over as the starter in 2002 and rushed for a program-record 1,690 yards and 15 touchdowns (sixth all-time).
In his final season (2003), Jackson produced 1,545 yards (third all-time) with 19 rushing touchdowns (tied for second most).
Jackson was named first-team All-Pac-10 both seasons and third-team All-America in 2003.
Jackson owns four of the top 10 rushing performances in program history. His 239 yards (with three touchdowns) against California in 2003 ranks third.
Jackson ranks tied for second with 19 100-yard games and holds the record with four 200-yard games.
In 36 games, he carried 743 times for 3,625 yards (fourth all-time) and 39 touchdowns (third).
Jackson was inducted into the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023 and also into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.
NFL: The St. Louis Rams selected Jackson in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft.
In his 12 seasons (nine with the Rams), Jackson rushed for 11,438 yards and 69 touchdowns. He also caught 461 passes for 3,683 yards and nine scores.
He was named to three Pro Bowls and second-team All-Pro twice.
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Bio: Nall starred at Central Catholic High School before attending Oregon State, where he used his bruising running style to carry the Beavers’ rushing attack.
Key statistics: Nall redshirted in 2014 before rushing for 455 yards and three touchdowns in 2015.
In 2006, he gained 951 with 13 touchdowns (eighth all-time) and was named honorable mention All-Pac-12.
In 2007, he rushed for 810 and eight touchdowns.
Nall finished his career with 2,216 yards (ninth all-time at OSU) and 24 rushing touchdowns (eighth).
NFL: Nall signed with the Chicago Bears as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2018. He appeared in 33 games over three seasons with the Bears.
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PRIOR COUNTDOWN POSTS
No. 35: Running back Ken Simonton.
No. 36: Linebacker Omar Speights
No. 37: Defensive back Brian Beck
No. 38: Defensive back Mel Easley
No. 39: Running back Don Durdan
No. 40: Linebacker Michael Doctor
No. 41: Linebacker Shemar Smith
No. 42: Linebacker Nick Barnett and quarterback/running back Joe Francis
No. 43: Linebacker Bryan Jones
No. 45: Linebacker Derrick Doggett and defensive end Dylan Wynn.
No. 46: Running backs Bill Enyart and Ken Carpenter
No. 47: Middle linebacker Jeff Schneider
No. 48: Defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo, fullback Pete Pifer, and two-way lineman Eberle Schultz
No. 49: Defensive linemenJeff Van Orsow and Andrew Seumalo
No. 50: Offensive lineman Mike Remmers
No. 51: Center Rocky Freitas
No. 52: Center John Didion
No. 53: Defensive tackle Tom Holmes
No. 54: Defensive lineman Stephen Paea
No. 55: Linebacker Jack “Mad Dog” O’Billovich
No. 56: Offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo and defensive lineman Inoke Breckterfield
No. 57: Long snapper Connor Kelsey
No. 58: Defensive end Slade Norris and center Jim Walker
No. 59: Linebacker Todd Sahlfeld and offensive lineman Rocky Rasley
No. 60: Three elite offensive linemen
No. 61: Offensive lineman Adam Koets
No. 62: The 1962 OSU football team
No. 63: Defensive lineman Craig Hannerman and offensive lineman Gus Lavaka
No. 64: Offensive lineman Nathan Eldridge
No. 65: Offensive lineman Doug Nienhuis
No. 66: Offensive lineman Andy Levitre
No. 67: Offensive lineman Roy Schuening
No. 68: Offensive lineman Brandon Kipper
No. 69: Guard Josh Andrews
No. 70: Center Jake Levengood
No. 71: Defensive lineman Jon Sandstrom
No. 72: Offensive lineman Robert Sykes
No. 73: Offensive lineman Blake Brandel
No. 74: Defensive tackle Kevin Frahm
No. 75: Offensive linemen Taliese Fuaga, John Witte and Kyle DeVan
No. 76: Offensive lineman Fletcher Keister.
No. 77: Defensive lineman Pellom McDaniels and offensive lineman Sean Harlow.
No. 78: Offensive lineman Jeff Hart
No. 79: Linnemen Vic Sears and Ted Bates
No. 80: A quartet of wide receivers
No. 81: Tight end Phil Ross
No. 82: Wide receiver Robert Prescott
No. 83: Wide receiver James Battle
No. 84: Tight end Tim Euhus
No. 85: Defensive lineman Dennis Boyd
No. 86: Defensive end Obum Gwacham
No. 87: Tight end Joe Halahuni
No. 88: Tight end Luke Musgrave
No. 89: Tight end Connor Hamlett
No. 90: Defensive linemen Bill Swancutt and Victor Butler.
No. 82: Wide receiver Robert Prescott
No. 83: Wide receiver James Battle
No. 84: Tight end Tim Euhus
No. 85: Defensive lineman Dennis Boyd
No. 86: Defensive end Obum Gwacham
No. 87: Tight end Joe Halahuni
No. 88: Tight end Luke Musgrave
No. 89: Tight end Connor Hamlett
No. 90: Defensive linemen Bill Swancutt and Victor Butler
