- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,268,905
- Reaction score
- 59
CORVALLIS — JaMarcus Shephard is putting down roots at Oregon State.
That's roots regarding his life, his career and his program.
Oregon State football's fall camp began Aug. 5 and it's Shephard's first time donning the head coaching vest in Corvallis. To Shephard, his first offseason, summer and preseason have presented him with the opportunity to develop relationships with players and staff, discover the ins and outs of OSU and lay the work for a successful fall and beyond within the Beavers' football program.
"We have to build a foundation for this program," Shephard said. "I want to make sure this foundation is built in one key concept; how you do anything is how you do everything ... it's about choosing progress over results. That's what we have to build within this program to create a great foundation not just for 2026, but for Oregon State University football and its future."
Shephard also said that every player in the program has to feel and be valued for the success to come. He and his staff have worked on that concept through personalized training programs, in-depth conversations about roles and expectations and helping players create memories associated with Oregon State, Corvallis and the state as a whole.
And despite hardly being in Corvallis for half a year, Shephard has found himself reflecting on his time and pondering his future. He said he recently discussed his experiences so far with a friend but didn't have too much to say.
"I love it here," Shephard said to his friend. "I'm telling you right now, I could stay here for a very, very long time."
Everything starts with the relationships, he said.
Over the summer, Shephard and the Oregon State staff took players on a few different Oregon-based adventures-turned-workouts.
On July 17, several members of the football program travelled to Neskowin beach on the Oregon coast for a workout in the sand. Players were running on the beach, lifting and carrying logs and more. Breaking up the schedule with a change in scenery is good for the players, Shephard said.
"You want to break up the monotony a bit by giving them the opportunity to get away from the facility," Shephard said. "They need a change every so often but to do it in a structured way that allows them to understand there's a reason behind the change, rather than just us going and doing it. That's what was important to me."
And for some, it was their first time on the Oregon coast.
WATCH: Oregon State football trains at Oregon Coast beach
A few weeks later, Beavers football players and staff gathered to hike Marys Peak outside of Corvallis.
Another gathering-turned-cardio workout presented the Beavers with the opportunity to not only develop chemistry and sweat a bit but also knock some items off the Oregon bucket list.
It's those type of memories that stick with you forever, Shephard said. He saw players calling their parents, taking in the view and enjoying the time with their teammates.
"We bonded on those trips," Shephard said. "I remember those moments as a student-athlete. I felt a lot of pleasure, personally, in giving those moments to our young men because they'll remember them for a lifetime."
Shephard is big on creating those memories, playing for something bigger than yourself and feeling a deeper connection to the program and the area.
Oregon State alumni Brandin Cooks (2011-13) and Jordan Poyer (2009-12) are a breathing testimony to this ideology Shephard strives to implement. Both Cooks and Poyer made trips to Corvallis this summer to support the program, and it only took Shephard one ask to get them there.
"The places where I've been, where it's been most successful, the alumni are right there on the sideline," Shephard said. "I don't know the (in-depth) history of the program, the intricacies ... the alumni do. Our players hearing that, it motivates them. It pushes them not just to play for themselves."
Having former players, especially ones who have gone on to carve out extensive careers in the National Football League, return to the program to share advice, stories and more is an invaluable way to lay the roots of a well-connected, successful program.
For someone who says their long-term future could be in Corvallis, having a network of well-connected alumni contribute to the passion and commitment of current players is vital.
Shephard's love extends to the past for the alumni, but it is also not lost on its current players. One of the recipients of praise at Shephard's first fall camp press conference was offensive lineman Tyler Voltin.
Voltin, a Stayton native and Regis High School graduate, has been with the Beavers' program since 2021 — but this year looks a little different.
Voltin lost roughly 35 pounds this offseason, Shephard said. Shephard approached Voltin in the offseason to discuss his weight and plan the course of action, and it's indicative of Voltin's commitment and work ethic in Corvallis that it's gone according to plan.
"I love Tyler Voltin, period," Shephard said. "He's an excellent communicator. He's someone who took my challenges to heart."
Voltin has played in 20 games, starting nine, in four-plus years in Corvallis. He's a returning piece on a new-look offensive line that will play an important role in any success the Beavers gather this fall.
"He looks the part. He looks like a guy who can go out there and dominate the football game," Shephard said. "I'm just so proud of him. He never missed anything ... I love the kid, love him."
Voltin is not the only Beaver that's been introduced to a new workout regimen with a fresh set of goals and expectations to meet. Several other linemen on both sides of the ball have undergone training as Shephard continues to flip the program.
Oregon State begins its season Sept. 5 at Houston, so Shephard and the Beavers have roughly a month to continue training.
Shephard said the depth chart will begin taking shape two weeks from opening kickoff, and he and the OSU staff will sit down with every player to discuss roles, goals and expectations before the season. It's another detail that goes a long way in laying the firm roots of a successful program.
"We will transparently tell them what their role is going to be this year," Shephard said. "We're very, very transparent with our whole football team."
Landon Bartlett covers Oregon State University and high school sports for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, TikTok or Instagram @bartlelo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: JaMarcus Shephard laying the ground roots for success at Oregon State
Continue reading...
That's roots regarding his life, his career and his program.
Oregon State football's fall camp began Aug. 5 and it's Shephard's first time donning the head coaching vest in Corvallis. To Shephard, his first offseason, summer and preseason have presented him with the opportunity to develop relationships with players and staff, discover the ins and outs of OSU and lay the work for a successful fall and beyond within the Beavers' football program.
"We have to build a foundation for this program," Shephard said. "I want to make sure this foundation is built in one key concept; how you do anything is how you do everything ... it's about choosing progress over results. That's what we have to build within this program to create a great foundation not just for 2026, but for Oregon State University football and its future."
Shephard also said that every player in the program has to feel and be valued for the success to come. He and his staff have worked on that concept through personalized training programs, in-depth conversations about roles and expectations and helping players create memories associated with Oregon State, Corvallis and the state as a whole.
And despite hardly being in Corvallis for half a year, Shephard has found himself reflecting on his time and pondering his future. He said he recently discussed his experiences so far with a friend but didn't have too much to say.
"I love it here," Shephard said to his friend. "I'm telling you right now, I could stay here for a very, very long time."
Everything starts with the relationships, he said.
You must be registered for see images attach
Developing a family at Oregon State
Over the summer, Shephard and the Oregon State staff took players on a few different Oregon-based adventures-turned-workouts.
On July 17, several members of the football program travelled to Neskowin beach on the Oregon coast for a workout in the sand. Players were running on the beach, lifting and carrying logs and more. Breaking up the schedule with a change in scenery is good for the players, Shephard said.
"You want to break up the monotony a bit by giving them the opportunity to get away from the facility," Shephard said. "They need a change every so often but to do it in a structured way that allows them to understand there's a reason behind the change, rather than just us going and doing it. That's what was important to me."
And for some, it was their first time on the Oregon coast.
WATCH: Oregon State football trains at Oregon Coast beach
A few weeks later, Beavers football players and staff gathered to hike Marys Peak outside of Corvallis.
Another gathering-turned-cardio workout presented the Beavers with the opportunity to not only develop chemistry and sweat a bit but also knock some items off the Oregon bucket list.
It's those type of memories that stick with you forever, Shephard said. He saw players calling their parents, taking in the view and enjoying the time with their teammates.
"We bonded on those trips," Shephard said. "I remember those moments as a student-athlete. I felt a lot of pleasure, personally, in giving those moments to our young men because they'll remember them for a lifetime."
Shephard is big on creating those memories, playing for something bigger than yourself and feeling a deeper connection to the program and the area.
Oregon State alumni Brandin Cooks (2011-13) and Jordan Poyer (2009-12) are a breathing testimony to this ideology Shephard strives to implement. Both Cooks and Poyer made trips to Corvallis this summer to support the program, and it only took Shephard one ask to get them there.
"The places where I've been, where it's been most successful, the alumni are right there on the sideline," Shephard said. "I don't know the (in-depth) history of the program, the intricacies ... the alumni do. Our players hearing that, it motivates them. It pushes them not just to play for themselves."
Having former players, especially ones who have gone on to carve out extensive careers in the National Football League, return to the program to share advice, stories and more is an invaluable way to lay the roots of a well-connected, successful program.
For someone who says their long-term future could be in Corvallis, having a network of well-connected alumni contribute to the passion and commitment of current players is vital.
You must be registered for see images attach
Salem-area athlete receives high praise from Shephard
Shephard's love extends to the past for the alumni, but it is also not lost on its current players. One of the recipients of praise at Shephard's first fall camp press conference was offensive lineman Tyler Voltin.
Voltin, a Stayton native and Regis High School graduate, has been with the Beavers' program since 2021 — but this year looks a little different.
Voltin lost roughly 35 pounds this offseason, Shephard said. Shephard approached Voltin in the offseason to discuss his weight and plan the course of action, and it's indicative of Voltin's commitment and work ethic in Corvallis that it's gone according to plan.
"I love Tyler Voltin, period," Shephard said. "He's an excellent communicator. He's someone who took my challenges to heart."
Voltin has played in 20 games, starting nine, in four-plus years in Corvallis. He's a returning piece on a new-look offensive line that will play an important role in any success the Beavers gather this fall.
"He looks the part. He looks like a guy who can go out there and dominate the football game," Shephard said. "I'm just so proud of him. He never missed anything ... I love the kid, love him."
Voltin is not the only Beaver that's been introduced to a new workout regimen with a fresh set of goals and expectations to meet. Several other linemen on both sides of the ball have undergone training as Shephard continues to flip the program.
Oregon State begins its season Sept. 5 at Houston, so Shephard and the Beavers have roughly a month to continue training.
Shephard said the depth chart will begin taking shape two weeks from opening kickoff, and he and the OSU staff will sit down with every player to discuss roles, goals and expectations before the season. It's another detail that goes a long way in laying the firm roots of a successful program.
"We will transparently tell them what their role is going to be this year," Shephard said. "We're very, very transparent with our whole football team."
Landon Bartlett covers Oregon State University and high school sports for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, TikTok or Instagram @bartlelo.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: JaMarcus Shephard laying the ground roots for success at Oregon State
Continue reading...
