Markus Wheaton, WR, Oregon State Beavers: 2013 NFL Draft Player Profile

Nov 3, 2012; Corvallis, OR, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Markus Wheaton (2) runs the ball past Arizona State Sun Devils cornerback Osahon Irabor (24) at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

Height:  5’11”

Weight:  189 pounds

Drafted By: Pittsburgh Steelers (3rd round, 79th overall)

40 Yard Dash:  4.45

Vertical Jump:  37″

Broad Jump:  120″

Career Stats

Scouting Report/Player Notes

Wheaton is probably the top offensive playmaker on the Beavers’ roster, and their current/returning leading receiver. As a junior, Wheaton caught 73 passes for 986 yards and just one touchdown, adding 190 yards rushing. So far as a senior (four weeks) Wheaton has 36 catches for 498 yards and four touchdowns. He is definitely one of the focal points on the OSU offense, and he sort of reminds you of a poor man’s Percy Harvin. He can run the ball out of the backfield, and where he really excels is after the catch. Oregon State likes to get him the ball in space where he can make plays with his quickness, speed, and field vision. He has good, reliable hands and is a solid route runner. I think in the NFL, he could be a really valuable slot receiver type, with the ability to also make plays on the outside. He reminds you of those receivers up in Pittsburgh a little bit.

Career Highlights (via Oregon State athletics site)

2012: Markus is one of the best overall athletes in the Pac-12 Conference … arguably the best playmaker on the Beavers’ offense … has started 20 games in his career … one of the top returning wide receivers in the conference … multi-purpose player, he is used in OSU’s rushing scheme much like James Rodgers was – on fly sweeps and end-arounds … enters the season ninth in OSU history with 136 receptions and just outside of the top 10 in receiving yards with 1,750 … named by Phil Steele to preseason All-Pac-12 Second Team … also a sprinter in track … finished second in Oregon’s Twilight meet in the 100 meters at 10.75 in May 2012 … chosen as one of four team captains for the 2012 season. 2011: Started all 12 games … led the team with 73 receptions and 986 yards, which rank ninth and 10th respectively on Oregon State’s single season lists … earned Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention … set career-high with 11 receptions at Arizona State … had four games of 100+ yards … scored only touchdown of the season at Utah … made a career-long 69-yard reception to open the season against Sacramento State … recorded a career-long 56-yard run in a win over Washington … added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List on Oct. 11. 2010: Ranked third on the team for all-purpose yards with 1,028 … team leader for receptions with 54 and yards with 660 … season-high 10 receptions and a career-best 137 yards vs. Oregon … had six receptions through the first four games, 48 over the last eight … involved in possibly the best offensive play of the year, making a 48-yard touchdown reception on a pass from a scrambling Ryan Katz in the win over No. 9 Arizona … two touchdown receptions vs. Washington State … rushed for 235 yards on 28 carries, and scored on the ground against UCLA and Louisville … participated in track and posted a 22.36 in the 200 meters at the Pac-10 Championships with minimal training. 2009: Markus played in 12 games, finishing the season with eight receptions and 11 rushes … a majority of the rushes came on the fly sweep or catching passes behind the line of scrimmage … scored one touchdown, a 10-yard rush against Washington State … season-long 18-yard rush vs. Washington and season-long 25-yard reception at Oregon … one of eight true freshmen to play.

Video Highlights (via YouTube)