IN PHOTOS: Oregon State and Nike join hands to create Beavers-inspired Nike Air Max Solo shoes
If you're an Oregon State fan, Nike has you covered for this fall. The sports apparel company has revealed a new line of Beavers-inspired Air Max Solo shoes.
This expands the line of college football-inspired Nike shoes, which already includes the Oregon Ducks, Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida Gators, Georgia Bulldogs, Michigan State Spartans, Michigan Wolverines, Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, Tennessee Volunteers and the Texas Longhorns.
The inclusion of the Oregon State Beavers should've been a no-brainer for the sporting giant, as the company is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.
Interestingly enough, Nike's founder, Phil Knight, is an alumnus and a fan of the Beavers' state rivals, the Oregon Ducks. It's even been reported that he's willing to give Dan Lanning's team unlimited NIL money to see them crowned as national champions.
Josh Gray could be key for Oregon State's chances in 2024
It's not a secret that the Oregon State Beavers took a big hit in the off-season, being one of only two teams (Alongside the Washington State Cougars) to remain in the Pac-12. Not only that, but they also lost their head coach, Jonathan Smith, to the Michigan State Spartans. The combination of these events led to a massive exodus out of Corvallis.
Among those who decided to stay was offensive lineman Josh Gray. Gray has been a three-time Second Team All-Pac 12 pick, and his senior year could be his best one yet. Here's what offensive line coach Kyle DeVan recently had to say about his impact on the team on and off the field:
"He helps me out with, like, ‘Hey, can we call it this,’ and Josh will think of it, ‘Yea, that makes sense to me.’ And a lot of times he's not going to argue the point, but he's going to digest it and think about it and kind of give a sounding point," offensive line coach Kyle DeVan said via KVAL.
"As soon as Josh embraces it, well, you better embrace it if you're younger - because the eldest person in the room is embracing what we're trying to do."
Josh Gray's leadership abilities will be key in the upcoming season for the Beavers.