Baron Naone decommits from Oregon State; Bluechip tight end weighing options

There's currently just one bluechip recruit in the state of Oregon in the class of 2025, West Linn four-star tight end Baron Naone.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound pass-catcher is rated the nation's No. 220 overall prospect and No. 12 tight end.

Although Naone originally committed to the Oregon State Beavers, his dad's alma mater, in October, he elected to open his recruitment back up this week:

For the West Linn star, the departures of head coach Jonathan Smith and tight end coach Brian Wozniak was an eye-opener.

“I realized that them leaving is what happens in college football a lot, so I needed to wait until I know that my coaches are going to be (at the school I choose)," Naone said.

But he's not eliminating the Beavers.

In fact, he remains quite high on the program and considers them a major contender.

“Oregon State is still one of my top schools," Naone said. "I’m still very interested. I just believe coaches leaving, like Smith and (Wozniak), that stuff happens all of the time, so I should just slow it down and come back to a decision at a different time."

The bluechip pass-catcher holds early offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Cal, Nevada, San Diego State, Tennessee and Washington, but said Oregon is the program reaching out the most currently.

>>> Offers roll in for Baron Naone as recruiting stock explodes

He intends to visit soon, but it may take until spring.

Naone is also hoping to hear from Smith at Michigan State. 

“I’d love to receive an offer from them and get to Michigan State and check it out," he said. "Sam (Leavitt) went there and said it was great.”

So, while Oregon State fans are likely to be disappointed by the news of Naone's decommitment, it sounds as though he Beavers remain firmly in the mix.

The West Linn star simply wants to check out his options and ensure he commits to a program with coaching stability.