Oregon State has its quarterback for the start of the season.
JaMarcus Shephard’s staff has turned to Mercer transfer Braden Atkinson, naming the sophomore the starter over Maalik Murphy as the Beavers move closer to their opener at Houston on September 5. The decision has been the big talking point around the program this week, and it sits at the center of the latest episode of State of the Beavs.
The move gives Oregon State clarity at the most important spot on the field, with Atkinson now set to lead the offense when the season begins. Host Matt Bagley reacts to the news and breaks down what it means for the Beavers as they get ready to kick things off.
The quarterback decision isn’t the only issue hanging over the program. Linebacker Aiden Sullivan remains involved in assault charges tied to an April incident in Benton County, Oregon. Sullivan is still with the team after pleading not guilty, and the situation is ongoing while he continues to practice and is out on bail.
Shephard also addressed the media during fall camp this week, and his comments touched on several key subjects. Among them were what convinced him that Atkinson should get the nod as his first starting quarterback, along with the broader eligibility legal issues surrounding college football in 2026.
The weekly show continues to track Oregon State football, basketball, baseball, and more, with Matt Bagley offering his take on the major developments around Beaver athletics. New episodes are typically released on Tuesday mornings.
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Oklahoma State Just Landed A Recruit Few Programs Ever Get
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But the biggest ripple came on the recruiting trail, where Eric Morris helped secure a commitment from a four-star offensive tackle who had been headed to Arkansas. For a program still fighting for every edge in the trenches, landing that kind of prospect is the sort of move that can change how the rest of the country looks at Oklahoma State, even if the broader significance of the pickup will only be measured once the player gets to campus and the line starts taking shape. [Read more 🡒]
Oregon States Captain Picks Just Added Intrigue To One Key Battle
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Atkinson's inclusion adds a little more intrigue to one of the roster's most watched competitions, since leadership votes can often say as much about a player's standing as any depth chart does. Oregon State now heads toward its Sept. 5 opener at Houston with its captains in place, but the way those voices line up over the next few weeks should offer a better read on where the Beavers see themselves, especially in a battle that still has room to develop. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma State Recruiting Suddenly Has One Big Reason For Hope
Oklahoma States 2027 recruiting class is starting to take shape with 12 commitments on board, and the group has given the Cowboys at least a little momentum as they try to climb the Big 12 pecking order. The class is still sitting outside the top tier nationally, but it has enough pieces to suggest the staff has found some traction early, especially with a group that needs time to develop and room to grow.
The headliner for now is linebacker Israel Hammons, who is widely viewed as the best prospect in the class and gives Oklahoma State a potential anchor on defense. Even with that kind of start, the real question is whether the Cowboys can keep building around him and turn this into something more than a modestly rated class, because the early numbers still leave plenty of work to do. [Read more 🡒]