BeaversEdge Top 25 For 2025: No. 4 Van Wells
In the months leading up to the start of fall camp, BeaversEdge.com will be counting down the Top 25 Oregon State football players on the 2025 roster. Want to give your two cents on the rankings? Subscribe to BeaversEdge.com to join The Dam Board and weigh in on the conversation. We continue with center Van Wells, who checks in at No. 4…
Van Wells
Center
Bio
No. 55
6-foot-2, 315-pounds
Senior
Houston, Texas
C.E. King HS -> Colorado -> Oregon State
2024 (JUNIOR)
• Played in 11 games
• Saw action in 644 snaps
• Part of an offensive line that enabled the Beavers to rush for an average of 189.2 yards per game
• Graded out at 79.9 on pass blocking per Pro Football Focus
• Did not allow a sack and committed just three penalties per PFF
COLORADO
• Saw action in 20 games over two seasons for Colorado, starting in 11
• Played in more than 1,000 snaps
• Finished with an 80.7 pass blocking grade per PFF his sophomore season
• Started once as a true freshman, against Minnesota
C.E. KING HIGH SCHOOL
• Rated three stars out of high school
• Graded as the No. 9 center by ESPN
• Lettered for head coach Derek Fitzhenry
• Helped C.E. King High School to a 33-14 record during his career
• Team finished with a 10-3 record his senior season at District 21-6A
• C.E. King averaged 285.3 rushing yards his senior season. Totaled nearly 40 points per game and 425 yards per game
• School averaged 313.9 rush yards and 476.7 total yards per game as a junior
Wells 2024 Recap
In his first year with Oregon State after transferring from Colorado, Van Wells settled in as the Beavers’ starting center for the majority of the year. He played in 11 games (10 starts) and saw the fifth-most snaps of any Beaver linemen with 644 on the year. Along with Joshua Gray, Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan, Grant Starck, and Flavio Gonzalez, he helped pave the way for the Beavers to average 189.2 rushing yards per game. He was also the only Beaver OL starter who didn’t allow a sack on the year and was called for just three penalties.
Wells 2025 Outlook
Following the 2024 season, Wells considered the NFL Draft, but ultimately elected to return to Oregon State for his senior campaign. Considering that the Beavers had already lost four starters from last year’s group to graduation, getting Wells to come back and anchor the line was a huge coup for Trent Bray and then-offensive line coach Kyle DeVan. While Wells didn’t see action in spring football as the Beavers wanted to keep him healthy, he’s going to play a crucial role on the Beavers’ line this season as the leader and most likely a captain. The new, re-tooled offensive line will still feature a good amount of experience, but Wells is the most experienced guy and will have high expectations this season. Look for Wells to slot in as the starting center in fall camp and have a strong senior season…
Previously
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