Oregon State Beavers countdown to kickoff: At No. 52, this center snapped to Archie Manning in the NFL

The Oregon State Beavers start the 2024 season Aug. 31 at home against Idaho State. The Oregonian/OregonLive will count down the days with mini-profiles of prominent former and current Beavers whose jersey numbers correspond with the days remaining until the opening kickoff.

Today, No. 52: Center John Didion.

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Bio: Didion went to the Beavers from Woodland High School in California. He became one of the most accomplished centers in program history. Didion died in 2013 at the age of 66.

Key achievements: Didion was named second-team All-American in 1967. In 1968, he received unanimous first-team All-America honors. In both seasons, he was named first-team All-Pac-8.

NFL: Washington selected Holmes in the seventh round of the 1969 NFL draft. He spent two seasons with Washington before playing four with the New Orleans Saints.

In six NFL seasons, Didion appeared in 80 games with 56 starts.

His quarterback in New Orleans was Archie Manning, father of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning.

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PRIOR COUNTDOWN POSTS

No. 53: Defensive tackle Tom Holmes.

No. 54: Defensive lineman Stephen Paea.

No. 55: Linebacker Jack “Mad Dog” O’Billovich.

No. 56: Offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo and defensive lineman Inoke Breckterfield.

No. 57: Long snapper Connor Kelsey.

No. 58: Defensive end Slade Norris and center Jim Walker.

No. 59: Linebacker Todd Sahlfeld and offensive lineman Rocky Rasley.

No. 60: Three elite offensive linemen.

No. 61: Offensive lineman Adam Koets.

No. 62: The 1962 OSU football team.

No. 63: Defensive lineman Craig Hannerman and offensive lineman Gus Lavaka.

No. 64: Offensive lineman Nathan Eldridge.

No. 65: Offensive lineman Doug Nienhuis.

No. 66: Offensive lineman Andy Levitre.

No. 67: Offensive lineman Roy Schuening.

No. 68: Offensive lineman Brandon Kipper.

No. 69: Guard Josh Andrews.

No. 70: Center Jake Levengood.

No. 71: Defensive lineman Jon Sandstrom.

No. 72: Offensive lineman Robert Sykes.

No. 73: Offensive lineman Blake Brandel.

No. 74: Defensive tackle Kevin Frahm.

No. 75: Offensive linemen Taliese Fuaga, John Witte and Kyle DeVan.

No. 76: Offensive lineman Fletcher Keister.

No. 77: Defensive lineman Pellom McDaniels and offensive lineman Sean Harlow.

No. 78: Offensive lineman Jeff Hart

No. 79: Linnemen Vic Sears and Ted Bates

No. 80: A quartet of wide receivers

No. 81: Tight end Phil Ross

No. 82: Wide receiver Robert Prescott

No. 83: Wide receiver James Battle

No. 84: Tight end Tim Euhus

No. 85: Defensive lineman Dennis Boyd

No. 86: Defensive end Obum Gwacham

No. 87: Tight end Joe Halahuni

No. 88: Tight end Luke Musgrave

No. 89: Tight end Connor Hamlett

No. 90: Defensive linemen Bill Swancutt and Victor Butler.

No. 82: Wide receiver Robert Prescott

No. 83: Wide receiver James Battle

No. 84: Tight end Tim Euhus

No. 85: Defensive lineman Dennis Boyd

No. 86: Defensive end Obum Gwacham

No. 87: Tight end Joe Halahuni

No. 88: Tight end Luke Musgrave

No. 89: Tight end Connor Hamlett

No. 90: Defensive linemen Bill Swancutt and Victor Butler