Hickle makes it official, signs with Oregon State — Tumwater star tight ends also ink NLIs

Takari Hickle sat at a table in the Tenino High School library, ready to make his goal of playing Pac 12 football official.

There was one slightly embarrassing snag. He didn’t have a pen.

Once he’d borrowed a writing implement and signed a National Letter of Intent accepting a scholarship to Oregon State University, Hickle admitted to being in a bit of a fog Wednesday morning.

“This is honestly pretty surreal,” the 6-foot-5, 260-pound defensive end and running back said. “It’s a really great feeling. This is something I’ve always wanted and always dreamed of.”

Hickle rushed for 2091 yards and 24 touchdowns during Tenino’s landmark 10-2 season, which saw them advance to the Class 1A quarterfinals for the first time since 1988. Defensively, he recorded 54 tackles, including nine sacks.

“Takari’s always been the ultimate competitor,” said Beavers’ coach Cary Nagel. “His drive to win this year was big for us.”

Led by Hickle, Tenino’s seldom-seen old school Power T formation produced the most effective rushing offense in Washington numerically at 476 yards per game, also good for fifth nationally among schools reporting stats to the MaxPreps website.

Oregon State, meanwhile, meets Utah State on Saturday in the Jimmy Kimmel Los Angeles Bowl at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The bigger Beavers are 7-5, earning praise nationally for coach Jonathan Smith.

Hickle knows OSU plans to use him as a defensive end, but isn’t sure whether he’ll be a designated run-stopper or an edge rusher focused on sacking opponents’ quarterbacks. He’s working on fitness and has helped Tenino’s basketball team to a 4-1 start with performances that have included 27 points against Winlock and double-doubles against Rainier and Columbia Adventist.

“I’m just making sure I work out as much as I can around my class schedule and basketball,” he said.

While not signing with colleges just yet, two other Beaver seniors received scholarships. Running backs Shawn Nicholson and Gavin Watson were awarded $1,000 each by the South Sound Football Officials Association based on their sportsmanship.

Tumwater’s group of four signees was led by 2A Evergreen Conference co-Most Valuable Players Ryan Otton and Austin Terry. Both are tight ends.

Otton will take his brother Cade’s place on the University of Washington’s roster after making 10 catches for 236 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Otton also made 45 tackles, 13 for losses, as a defensive end.

He echoed Hickle’s feelings.

“I remember back in seventh grade when I came for my brother’s signing,” Otton said. “It’s just a surreal moment. I’m thankful for where I’m at and really excited for the future.”

Terry, 6-5, 235, is bound for Boise State after catching 15 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns. Defensively, he made 36 tackles, including four quarterback sacks, and blocked a kick.

The Broncos are 7-5 this season and meet Central Michigan on New Year’s Eve in the Arizona Bowl at the University of Arizona’s stadium in Tucson.

“I’m excited to just kind of dive in, get in with that culture, learn their system,” said Terry, who will enroll at Boise in January. He’s excited about the versatile role tight ends play in the Broncos’ offense.

“Their tight ends are used in just about any way possible, in the line, at a receiver spot or in the backfield. I got to do a little bit of that (at Tumwater), but in that offense it’s much more of a wide scale. Being able to kind of well-round everything in my game; I’m excited for that.”

Thunderbirds’ linebacker Bennett Ferris signed with Dickinson State in North Dakota while two-way lineman Aidan Aguero will play for George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon.

Ferris was in on 79 tackles during Tumwater’s 10-3 state 2A runner-up season, including 45 solos. The Blue Hawks, meanwhile, finished 8-3, reaching the NAIA playoffs.

Aguero was first team All-2A EvCo on offense and second team on defense. George Fox finished 6-3 this season, its only Northwest Conference loss coming at the hands of perennial Division 3 power Linfield.

Defensive back/running back Ashton Paine had previously committed to Washington State as a preferred walk on.

Several other local players with college offers have yet to make a decision, notably W.F. West running back and defensive lineman Brock Guyette, Rochester’s 1100-yard rusher Talon Betts, Capital two-way lineman Cooper Carlson, Tumwater lineman Justin Walter and Yelm linebacker Cooper Cleveringa and offensive lineman Kollin Gifford.

Central Washington, Georgetown, Montana Tech and Portland State are among Carlson’s possibilities. Cleveringa is a target of both Lewis and Clark in Oregon and Whitworth University while Pacific Lutheran is seeking Gifford. Betts’ options include Whitworth and Presentation College in South Dakota.

Walter has George Fox and the University of Puget Sound in pursuit.

Staff writer Lauren Smith contributed to this report.

This story was originally published December 15, 2021 at 1:49 PM.