CORVALLIS - Lake Oswego standout Gabe Miller, named The Oregonian newspaper's Class 4A defensive player of the year, has given an oral commitment to play at Oregon State University.

Miller, at 6-foot-3, 230-pounds, has played several positions, including fullback, tight end, receiver and linebacker. He also was considering Oregon, California and Colorado.

“Oregon State has the tradition and that definitely made a difference,” said Miller, who cited former Oregon State players Marty Maurer, Tim Euhus and Joe Newton. “The coaches were telling me I could definitely be the next guy on that list.”

Miller, ranked the state's top prospect by oregonpreps.com, said he will start out playing H-back for the Beavers, but could also play at fullback and slot receiver.

Players can begin formally committing to colleges on Feb. 1, the national letter-of-intent day.

Another one of the state's top players, 6-foot-6, 275-pound lineman Bo Thran of Barlow, has said he will go to Oregon.