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. 48: Defensive lineman Esera Tuaolo, fullback Pete Pifer, and two-way lineman Eberle Schultz

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Esera Tuaolo

Bio: Tuaolo was recruited out of Don Antonio Lugo High School (Chino, Calif.).

Key statistics: Tuaolo became a full-time starter in 1988. That season, he finished with 3 1/2 sacks.

He blossomed into a star in 1989 when he moved from defensive end to nose tackle.

Tuaolo, as a junior, registered 13 tackles for loss, including 4 1/2 sacks.

As a senior, he racked up 41 tackles, six for loss, and four sacks.

Tuaolo received the Morris Trophy (given to the best defensive lineman in the Pac-10) in 1989 after being named first-team all-conference for the second season. He was a finalist for both the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy as a senior.

NFL: The Green Bay Packers selected Tuaolo in the second round of the 1991 NFL draft. He played in 111 games with 46 starts while playing for the Packers, Minnesota, Jacksonville, Atlanta, and Carolina.

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Pete Pifer

Bio: Pifer arrived at Oregon State from Sherman E. Burroughs High School (California). He finished his OSU career as arguably the greatest running back in program history.

Key statistics: Pifer became the first OSU player to score four rushing touchdowns in a game in 1966 against Washington State. Six other running backs now share that mark.

His 13 100-yard rushing games rank sixth all-time at OSU.

Pifer rushed for 1,095 yards in 1965 (14th all-time) and 1,088 in 1964 (15th all-time).

He became the first Pacific Coast Conference player to rush for more than 1,000 yards twice.

His 2,233 career rushing yards rank eighth.

Pifer was twice named First-Team All-Pac-8 and in 1966, was named second-team All-American.

In 1990, Pifer was inducted into the Oregon State Athletics Hall of Fame, and in 1991, he was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame.

NFL: The New York Giants drafted Pifer in the 11th round of the 1967 NFL draft, but he did not play in a game.

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Eberle Schultz

Bio: Nicknamed “Elbie,” Schultz was born in Eugene but grew up in Oregon City. He became a star on the offensive line and defensive line. He died in 2002 at the age of 84.

Key achievements: In 1939, Schultz became the sixth All-American selection in Oregon State history. That season, he was also named first-team All-Coast while helping lead OSU to a 9-1-1 record.

NFL: Philadelphia selected Schultz in the fourth round (28th overall) of the 1940 NFL draft.

In eight NFL seasons with four teams, Schultz appeared in 86 games with 61 starts.

He won a championship with the Cleveland Rams in 1945.

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PRIOR COUNTDOWN POSTS

No. 49: Defensive linemen Jeff Van Orsow and Andrew Seumalo.

No. 50: Offensive lineman Mike Remmers.

No. 51: Center Rocky Freitas.

No. 52: Center John Didion.

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