Jeff Van Orsow
2007: Jeff enters the season with the most starts of any defensive player on the team with 25 (straight)...a leader of an experienced defensive line...one of the quickest ends in the conference and has a flair for making significant plays at key moments...missed spring practice while rehabilitating from a stress fracture in his left foot...named a candidate for the Lott Trophy, which recognizes football student-athletes for personal character, leadership qualities, community service and academic accomplishments...co-team captain. 2006: Jeff played a huge role on the team in 2006...started all 14 games...sixth on the team for tackles with 48...deflected John David Booty’s 2-point conversion pass attempt with seven seconds left to preserve OSU’s 33-31 win over No. 3 USC – a play that essentially ended the Trojans’ 27-game Pac-10 win streak...career-high six tackles at Washington, including three for loss...forced fumbles against Eastern Washington and Idaho...had two sacks...accounted for 47 yards in lost yardage and was part of a unit that led the nation for lost yardage with 528. 2005: Jeff made 31 tackles in 11 starts...accounted for seven tackles-for-loss for 23 yards...oddly for a defensive lineman, he intercepted two passes...intercepted Stanford’s Trent Edwards late in the second quarter and returned it 24 yards for a touchdown...the first interception of his career came in the fourth quarter against Washington State when he intercepted Alex Brink deep in Beaver territory to help maintain a then 37-33 lead...three of his tackles-for-loss were in a win over Boise State, which included a season-high seven tackles...recovered Washington quarterback Johnny DuRocher’s fumble late in the game that led to OSU’s final field goal in an 18-10 win. 2004: Jeff played in all 12 games as a reserve to former Beaver standout Bill Swancutt...made 15 tackles for the season, 11 of which were in the last six games of the season...tied for fifth on the team for tackles-for-loss with 5.5 and tied for third for quarterback sacks with three...recorded sacks against California, Stanford and Oregon...a season-high four tackles vs. USC. 2003: Redshirt.
FOOTHILL: Jeff earned two letters in football while playing for head coach Ray Fenton...first team all-state defensive end, first team All-Southern Nevada, and first team All-Sunrise Region as a senior after making 58 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and 11.5 quarterback sacks...added five pass breakups, one fumble recovery, two forced fumbles and seven quarterback hurries...team defensive MVP as a senior...earned All-Southern Nevada as a junior...as a senior he also was the team’s placekicker and punter...also lettered two years in basketball and one in golf.
PERSONAL: Born in Blythville, Arkansas...son of Dave and Sharon Van Orsow...Dave is a pilot and Sharon is an interior decorator...Jeff earned his pilot’s license during fall term of 2006...has two brothers, Neil and Brad...involved in numerous off the field campus activities, including “Operation Santa” an OSU led conference-wide endeavor that sent holiday gifts to troops serving in the Middle East...majoring in political science and is on track to graduate in December.
