5 major storylines as Oregon State football begins fall camp

This week marks the Oregon State Beaverskick’s departure from fall camp. Following practice on Wednesday morning, Trent Bray, the coach, and a number of players will address the media.

The Beavers retooled in the summer with a highly regarded transfer quarterback and a number of new players on both sides of the ball after finishing with a 5-7 record, which included six defeats in their final seven games.

The Beavers’ offense, which occasionally had trouble producing, has a fresh engine and renewed vigor. Additionally, the OSU defensive bolstered its edges in an effort to consistently target the quarterback.

As Oregon State football kicks out fall camp, keep a watch on these five storylines:

1. Maalik Murphy’s arrival

The transfer of Duke Murphygave the Beavers, who are thrilled with their new quarterback’s big play abilities, the offseason headline. Murphy, who is 6′ 5 and about 240 pounds, loves to chuck the long ball and is a formidable presence in the pocket. Despite having a quick stable of wide receivers, OSU just didn’t have that dimension last season.

Last season at Duke, Murphy did throw 12 interceptions, which is a trend to watch. However, OSU coaches praised his poise and decision-making throughout the spring. It’s evident that Murphy and his ability to throw the long ball have the potential to elevate this team much beyond its on-field performance, as teammates complimented his charismatic leadership.

How will Murphy get along with his new receiving corps, in the background? The position has enough speed to allow for deep shots, but what about throws that the opposition provides him with underneath? Things are moving along nicely in that department, if the OSU spring game is any guide.

2. The offensive line’s health

If Murphy is fighting for his life, he won’t be able to improve the OSU offense. Viewers of the spring game saw quarterbacks under continual pressure, but this was mostly because the offensive line was being weakened by injuries.

Five offensive linemen of starting caliber missed the spring because of injuries: center Van Wells, guards JT Hand and Tyler Voltin, and tackles Jacob Strand and Tyler Morano. In addition to wanting them all back as quickly as possible, OSU also wants them to play as many snaps with Murphy as possible before the game begins.

The middle is the most interesting location. It’s Wells’ place to lose if he’s healthy. However, if necessary, Hand, a transfer from Arizona, can also play the position. The ideal thing for Murphy would be to have a regular conversation with the same guy throughout camp, regardless of who starts Week 1 against California.

3. At wide receiver, who is the most notable?

With 81 receptions for 901 yards and two scores in the previous season, Trent Walker is poised to be OSU’s top receiver going into 2025. With Murphy in charge, those numbers might rise, but Walker will perform with a now-healthy Darrius Clemons and speedsters Jimmy Valsin III, Taz Reddicks, and Zachary Card.

Even though Jeremiah Noga and three other players left through the transfer portal, the Beavers still consider their wide receiver talent to be a significant asset. A deep-ball specialist like Murphy is enthused by the pace alone, but it’s unclear who else on the field can be counted on to be a reliable and consistent option beyond Walker.

4. Applying constant pressure

The OSU defense’s most telling figure in 2024 was that they only managed seven whole season, which put them bottom in the FBS.

By 2025, the Beavers want to have significantly improved their quarterback pressure. Throughout the spring, it was a topic of conversation. Nikko Taylor, a returning edge rusher, will pursue that goal alongside new colleagues Walker Harris and Kai Wallin.

The interior defensive line’s health was one factor that made it challenging to halt the run and provide pressure on the quarterback. During the 2024 season, five defensive tackles for the Beavers had injuries. For edge rushers like Taylor and Wallin to have a chance to get to the quarterback, a healthy interior defensive line will be essential.

5. Through the uprights

The specialists are among the several position battles to watch in Corvallis this fall, but some may be missed.

Caleb Ojeda and Logan McCreery will compete for kickoff and field goal opportunities at kicker, and Tetsuta Tsuyumine, a Japanese transfer, may also be considered. Ojeda, who shown his strength with a 53-yard field goal in the spring game, probably has the advantage as the program’s most seasoned returner.

Jackson Robertson or Dylan Black should be the long-snapper, while Max Walker and AJ Winsor will battle for punting responsibilities. One of the most inspirational stories on the OSU roster is Black’s journey return to the field following a cancer diagnosis and a protracted recuperation that included chemotherapy.

Previews of OSU positions:

ILB|CB|S|ST QB|RB|WR|TE|OL|DT|EDGE

Early previews of OSU’s opponents:

First game: California

Second Game: Fresno State

Texas Tech in Game 3

Houston in Game 5

Appalachian State in Game 6

Wake Forest in Game 7

Lafayette in Game 8

Washington State in Games 9/12

Sam Houston State in Game 10

Tulsa in Game 11

–For The Oregonian/OregonLive, Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon State Beavers. You may contact him on Twitter at X:@RyanTClarke or by email at RClarke@Oregonian.com. His Bluesky handle is @ryantclarke.bsky.social.

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