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The quarterback position sees an open competition between returning starter Maalik Murphy and transfers Braden Atkinson (Mercer) and Brady Jones (Western Michigan). There was no favorite coming out of the spring. Murphy has the experience and Atkinson threw for 3,596 yards and 34 touchdowns last season.
The running back room returns some experience in Cornell Hatcher Jr. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry last season. Redshirt freshman Kourdey Glass is one to watch. The addition of AJ Newberry (Vanderbilt) provides what could be a valuable RB2 for this unit.
The wide receiver room returns some experience in Eddie Freauff, Malachi Durant, Karson Baschma, and tight end Gabe Milbourn. The additions of Xayvion Noland (UTRGV), Adonis McDaniel (Mercer), Aaron Butler (Texas), Aeryn Hampton (Alabama) and tight ends Eric Olsen (Utah Tech) and DeLorion Temple (Central Michigan) will all play big roles.
The offensive line room returns experience in Tyler Voltin, Nathan Elu, Josiah Timpteo, and Jacob Anderson. The additions of Brodercik Shull (Auburn), Kwan Johnson (Eastern Illinois), Teko Shoats (Bethune-Cookman), Carter Guillaume (Louisville), Will Larkins (Georgia State), and Frankie Petuya (JUCO) provide some depth.
The defensive line room returns experience in Takari Hickle, Tygee Hill, Jacob Schuster, and Tiger Black. Watch out for redshirt freshman Logan Knapp off the edge. The additions of Daniel Matagi (Portland State), Ish Findlayter (Duquesne), and JUCO rush end Adrian Onyuego and Jarrel Comer will all be utilized.
The linebacker room returns experience in Aiden Sullivan, Kord Shaw, and Raesjon Davis. The additions of Ja’Bari Odoemenem (Duquesne), and Dyland Layne (Idaho) are massive. The combination of Sullivan, Odoemenem, and Layne will keep offenses guessing.
The secondary returns experience in Sailasa Vandrawale III, Trey Glasper, TJ Crandall, Nobel Thomas, Exodus Ayers, and Harlem Howard. Redshirt freshman Sean Craig is one to watch. The additions of Isaiah Houi (Eastern Illinois) and Xander Chisolm (Sacramento State) provide depth.
The amount of long snapper injuries the Beavers faced last season was astounding. Tug Sanford (Stephen F. Austin) and Jonathan Zarut (Memphis) can fill that role. Punter AJ Winsor returns and this is a competition at kicker between returning starter Caleb Ojeda and Syracuse transfer Jadyn Oh.
Year 1 under new head coach JaMarcus Shephard could be a struggle. The new look Pac-12 presents challenges, and the team looks physically small on paper. The game isn’t played on paper obviously. Shephard is known as a great recruiter and leader of men. Something truly needed in Corvallis.
