can’t say he’s thrilled about spending close to another year in school. But the lure of the Beavers football program and the chance to improve his NFL stock made returning to an easy call for the fifth-year senior safety. Oladapo, who earned multiple all-conference selections last season, looked hard at leaving OSU for the NFL in December. The 6-foot-1, 212-pound Central Catholic High grad claims he’s back because he wants to help the Beavers return to Las Vegas. This time for the Pac-12 championship game. “I did love winning the Las Vegas Bowl and going 10-3, but there’s a lot more on the table we can do,” Oladapo said following Thursday’s practice, OSU’s second this spring. Oladapo emerged in 2021, but broke out as a star last season as he was twice named Pac-12 defensive player of the week. Oladapo made 80 tackles, including a career-high 17 tackles against Oregon. Oladapo gave an NFL shot thoughtful consideration, but after receiving feedback on his stock, believed one more year of college football was in order. “I definitely think I would have been drafted if I went out,” Oladapo said. “Some scouts like you, some scouts don’t like you. I’ll take their criticism and improve for next year. ” Oladapo said all the feedback were checklist items he already knew needed work, particularly making plays on the ball. Also back for 2023: the flaming orange hair. Oladapo dyed his hair orange for the 2022 season, and says it’s making a comeback this fall. Returning to play for Oregon State also means school. Oladapo smiled and said another year of classes isn’t his favorite thing, but “I graduate next term, so I’ll be OK. I definitely feel old. Every time the young guys ask me, what year did you graduate? I say, 2018 (high school). Damn. OK. But it’s good. … I can deal with it for another year. ” Name, image and likeness opportunities didn’t factor in Oladapo’s decision to return. NIL has become lucrative for some college football veterans who were on the fence about a leap to the NFL. Oladapo said he’s dabbled in a few deals with the Dam Nation Collective, which assists OSU athletes for NIL opportunities. NIL “wasn’t my main focus. I feel like it’s just a benefit. I really wanted to focus on how good of a team we can be and finishing school,” Oladapo said. Oregon State lost a lot of leaders from its 2022 squad. As a fifth-year senior with 26 career starts, Oladapo is a natural candidate to take over a leadership role. Oladapo knows he’ll need to change to make it work. “Over the years, the guys have seen my story. Just put your head down and work. More of a leader by example, don’t talk a lot,” Oladapo said. “I’ve got to be more of a vocal leader for the younger guys. I’ve got to teach them up. ” One small factor in Oladapo’s decision was the addition of a player on the opposite side of the ball, quarterback D. J. Uialagelei. The Clemson transfer caught his attention when he opted to join the Beavers in early January. “I can’t say that wasn’t a factor in my mind,” Oladapo said. “I know what type of player he could be. I actually called him on the phone to see where his mind was at. I think we have the same goals in mind. He wants to improve draft stock and he wants to win games. We’re on the same page. ” For one of the hardest hitting safeties in the Pac-12, one bummer is that Oladapo won’t be able to tackle the 6-foot-4, 251-pound Uialagelei during practice. Tackling a quarterback in practice is as close as it comes to an unforgivable sin. “Maybe just a goal line and let him go one play live,” Oladapo said, smiling. “But (coach Jonathan) Smith would never do that. ” --Nick Daschel | |.