Oregon State · Pac-12Kai Wheaton’s Fall Camp Emergence Gives Oregon State a Freshman DB to Track
The true freshman defensive back has drawn strong reviews from Oregon State coaches and teammates through the Beavers’ third week of fall camp. The praise centers on his calm response to competition, with one phrase appearing repeatedly: he doesn’t blink.
AUG 22, 2026
Oregon State is in its third week of fall camp.
01 · The NewsWhat Happened
Oregon State true freshman defensive back Kai Wheaton has emerged as one of the Beavers’ early fall-camp standouts. Coaches and teammates have praised him through the team’s third week of camp, with the same description reportedly coming up more than once: “He doesn’t blink.” Wheaton’s reviews point to a young defensive back handling the demands of camp without showing visible hesitation. Oregon State has not announced a starting role or defined his game-day workload. For now, the news is that Wheaton has earned attention inside the program before playing his first college season.