Suggestion sparks lineman to revamp his workout regimen

By Cliff Kirkpatrick

Gazette-Times Reporter

Tavita Thompson remembers vividly when offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh gracefully mentioned he should do something about the extra pounds he was carrying around.

Since Cavanaugh is not one to mince words, Thompson took a look in the mirror.

He didn’t like what he had become and decided to change. It would benefit him and the Oregon State football team.

“When Cav told me I looked un-athletic, I took it into my own hands,” Thompson said. “I settled down and got back into shape so I could move. Last season I couldn’t move that well.”

The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle from Hawaii was 330 pounds during the middle of last season. He is down to a lean 300 pounds now.

It’s so noticeable that his coaches and teammates are amazed at the change.

“He looks ready because he slimmed down,” offensive guard Jeremy Perry said.

Added to Thompson’s motivation was the opening at left tackle, a position he has been working at for three seasons. The junior backed up Adam Koets, so he rarely saw playing time.

Koets’ durability allowed Thompson to adjust to college life and being a long way from home without much pressure. Koets, however, has concluded his eligibility.

“Right now he’s the guy,” Perry said. “He’s been waiting for that since the time we came in together in the 2004 class. It’s nice to see him out there. He worked hard in winter training. He deserves it. I can’t wait to play there with him — two Polynesians on the left side.”

Thompson is the likely starter in the fall because of his time in the system, but it’s not a lock. He has to hold off redshirt freshman Ryan Pohl and junior college transfer Michael Cole in the fall.

“It’s obvious that Tavita should be able to take the bull by the horns there,” coach Mike Riley said. “He’s the older one who has been around. It’s time for him to step forward and really do a job there. He had his best offseason workout ever. I think he understood what it takes. He has to fill big shoes there, if he’s the guy.”

When Cavanaugh began mentioning Thompson’s weight it was the needed kick in the gut for him to realize that his opportunity would slip away if something wasn’t done.

Riley doesn’t recruit JC players such as Cole just for depth. There was a question if Thompson could get the job done.

“His light bulb went on,” Cavanaugh said. “It means a lot more to him. He figured it’s his time. I’m excited about him. I thought last year, probably the last two months of the season, I saw big improvement in him. And he had his best offseason.”

Thompson’s physical change was assisted by teammates. He found the right guys as workout partners.

Other offensive linemen Gregg Peat, Adam Speer and Roy Schuening are tenacious lifters, so he trained with them.

When it came to running, linebacker Joey LaRocque was there to push him to go faster.

“My focus was to trim down so I surrounded myself with hard workers,” Thompson said. “Now I want to bulk up, but keep the same weight. I need to get that base I need and try to complete the package.”

An increased training regimen was the last missing component. Thompson used his redshirt season to learn about being an offensive tackle for the first time.

He was a defensive end at Honolulu’s Saint Louis High, but the Beavers saw an offensive tackle in the rough.

“When I first came here it was the transition from defense and not playing offense before,” Thompson said. “From there it was getting into the playbook. Now I understand the offense and I can perform. Before, I would think too much.”

The Beavers are into the second week of spring practice, and Thompson has been running with the first string.

He understands there’s a competition going on, but is confident it’s his time.

“The team needs someone to fill into that spot, and I want to be in that spot to do what I can to help the team,” Thompson said. “Coach Riley is giving me that first chance. I’m going to go out and see what I can do with it.”