The Oregon State Beavers are quietly building one of the most competitive tight end rooms in the Pac-12, and it’s beginning to turn heads. As spring camp intensifies and depth charts start to take shape, an unexpected name is making a strong push toward the top — a recent transfer from BYU who’s not only fitting in but standing out.
In a position group brimming with talent and potential, competition is fierce. Veterans and younger players alike are jostling for attention, knowing full well that the margin for error is razor-thin. But it’s the emergence of BYU transfer Isaac Rex — a player who arrived with little fanfare outside the program — that’s generating real buzz inside the locker room and on the practice field.
Rex, who battled back from a significant leg injury in 2021, has come to Corvallis with something to prove. With years of experience in a pro-style offense and a strong reputation for physicality and red-zone production, he brings both maturity and grit to the Beavers’ offense. And early indications suggest he’s not wasting any time making his mark.
“He’s a quiet leader, but his play does the talking,” one coach noted. “He’s consistent, coachable, and he’s made some big plays in practice that have opened eyes.”
The tight end room itself is nothing short of loaded. Returning contributors like Jack Velling and newcomers fresh out of high school stardom are all pushing the envelope. But while the room is stacked with raw ability, Rex offers a rare blend of size, route-running polish, and on-field intelligence. The result? A daily battle that feels more like a chess match than a football drill.
What makes Rex’s rise even more intriguing is the looming uncertainty surrounding offensive rotations. With a new quarterback under center and a scheme that leans heavily on tight end involvement, the stakes are unusually high. Coaches are still evaluating which players offer the right blend of blocking ability, field awareness, and reliable hands — and Rex is checking off more boxes with each passing day.
As Oregon State looks to build on recent success and compete in a rapidly shifting conference landscape, small position battles like this could have massive implications come fall. And while nothing is guaranteed, one thing is clear: in a tight end room full of promise, it’s the unassuming BYU transfer who’s quietly — and quickly — becoming impossible to ignore.
