5/13/2020 football Edit

BREAKING: Homegrown QB Sam Vidlak Flips To Oregon State

Jared Halus • BeaversEdge

Recruiting Analyst

The Beavers have landed their quarterback.

Less than two weeks after offering, Grants Pass (OR) quarterback Sam Vidlak has flipped his commitment from Montana to Oregon State.

Vidlak is a tall, athletic quarterback that the staff placed a high priority on after extending an offer. Keeping talent in the state is always something that OSU has set out to do, and the 2021 class is reflecting that nicely as Vidlak is now the second member of the class from the backyard, joining Hood River offensive lineman Henry Buckles.

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Though it was a hard decision to back off from his Montana pledge, Vidlak knows he made the right decision and is excited to begin his own legacy in the Orange and Black.

“It means a lot (to commit to OSU) and is something I am super thankful for,” Vidlak said. “It was just something I couldn’t pass up. I am really proud to represent my school, my family, my faith, and the state of Oregon.”

It has only been a short period of time since Vidlak added his offer, but many things quickly attracted him to the Beavs.

“I really love the coaching staff at Oregon State and have been really impressed by all the coaches who have recruited me and reached out to me,” said Vidlak. “I really love the offensive system and think I will fit in well. Also, of course, the fact that I get to play in my home state, close to my family, and play for the state of Oregon is pretty awesome.”

Vidlak grew up watching Oregon State, and remembers growing up as a kid hoping one day he could represent them.

“Every kid wants to play college football for the in-state team or a team they grew up rooting for,” said Vidlak. “I am really thankful for it and it is surreal that it is actually happening.”

As an Oregon native, Vidlak has been able to watch the transformation of Oregon State under Jonathan Smith first-hand.

“I think coach Smith has done a great job,” Vidlak told BeaversEdge. “The program is on the rise, and that is something I am excited to be a part of.”

So, what are the Beavers getting in Vidlak?

“Oregon State can expect an extremely hard worker who prepares as hard as anyone,” said Vidlak. “On the field, I am an ultra-competitive person and an accurate passer. I am eager to get to work and am going to give it everything I’ve got.

I am a very goal-oriented person, so my goal for my freshman to senior year is to maximize my potential and control what I can control. If I do that, the rest will fall into place. I hope that I can be a big part of Beaver football and help them continue to turn it into something special.”

Vidlak joins LB Easton Mascarenas, OL Henry Buckles and DL Alex Lemon in the 2021 class, as well as offensive lineman Sione Veikoso who was originally in the class of 2018 and is returning from a mission.