Eligibility Ruling Opens Door for OSU Seniors
A recent U.S. District Court decision in Colorado has cleared a path for two Oregon State football seniors to extend their eligibility through the 2026 season, despite lingering questions about the NCAA’s five‑for‑five model.
Van Wells, an offensive lineman who previously played at Colorado and Buffalo, started 21 of 22 games at center last year and has logged more than 2,500 career snaps, while defensive back Jaheim Patterson began every game in 2025, leading the Beavers with 66 tackles and two interceptions.
Coach JaMarcus Shephard has said he will not assume either player’s return will be automatic, instead using the extra year to integrate them gradually alongside the rest of the roster as the team prepares for its season opener.
The Beavers open the 2026 campaign on September 5 against Houston, with kickoff scheduled for 9 a.m. Pacific time, a matchup that will test the new eligibility rules on the field.
The legal saga continues, as the NCAA appeals the injunction and the broader question of how transfer‑portal athletes can navigate eligibility remains unresolved, affecting hundreds of players nationwide.
If both seniors become eligible, Wells would emerge as by far the most experienced player on Oregon State’s roster, bringing a depth of snaps that could reshape the team’s dynamics.