Carson Osmus has been a cornerstone of the Papermakers' offensive line since 2021 and is a two-time all-league pick at tackle. (Elayna Yussen for The Columbian)
The daily summer routine of Carson Osmus, Camas High’s multi-year starter at left tackle, went something like this: team workout, strength and speed workout, and private lineman development workout.
More often than not, all three took place in one day.
The work translates to fun, Osmus said.
“I enjoy this,” he said.
The fun factor extends beyond football workouts. One piece of advice Osmus, a Washington State football commit, has to younger players about the college recruitment process is this: enjoy the process.
“Because it is fun,” Osmus said. “It’s also stressful, but just keep working, no matter what.”
Osmus, a team captain, has been a cornerstone of the Papermakers’ offensive line since 2021 and is a two-time all-league pick at tackle.
He gave WSU his pledge of commitment June 12, just days before the end of 2022-23 high school academic year concluded. He chose the Cougars over offers from Colorado State, Nevada and several FCS programs. When recruiting Osmus, Cougars offensive line coach Clay McGuire told the teen how the staff envisions the senior as WSU’s left tackle of the future.
“He was the only coach that sat down with me in depth,” Osmus said. “He told me what they did and explained why I would fit in there and why I could do better there. That stuck out to me — that he wanted to develop me. That’s the biggest thing.”
Football practices for the 2023 season began Wednesday across Washington high schools, and Osmus said he has a “different vibe” as a player entering his senior season.
For starters, the increasing pride and leadership of playing on the offensive line is second to none.
But a flip of a switch for Osmus came after his sophomore season, realizing the possibility of playing college football at the Power 5 level. He focused on his development and worked at his weight. At one point his freshman year, Osmus said he weighed “a bad 315” pounds.
More than a year later, he had slimmed down to 240.
Now, at 6-foot-6 and 290 pounds, he’s at his ideal size.
Osmus also credits working with Vancouver-based B12 Performance for next-level lineman development and preparation. With that came a boost in confidence Osmus said was missing his sophomore and junior seasons.
“Before, I’d put the work in,” he said, “but I don’t think I pushed myself enough. But trusting myself, I know I put in the hours and I know every single day I try to get better.
“This is what I want to do, and I think just getting better every single year has been fun.”
Strong offensive line play were staples of Camas’ 2016 and 2019 undefeated 4A state championship teams.
Osmus remembers watching Camas games growing up — including the 2016 4A state championship game on television — and watching how dominant Camas can be up front.
No doubt, Osmus expects that to also be true in 2023 with an experienced offensive line group returning. In fact, during Camas’ 2022 season when it reached the 4A state preliminary round, Osmus, at left tackle, made a lot of the line calls.
The fun factor of football is all around for Osmus.
“Now that I’m there,” he said, “it’s more than just being a good offensive lineman. They’re your guys. Having that trust that they’re going to work and you’re going to work.”
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