Fall camp in Corvallis is already sorting out Oregon State’s new-look offense, and the early buzz has centered on three players who have made themselves hard to ignore under JaMarcus Shephard’s staff.
The biggest development is at quarterback, where Mercer transfer Braden Atkinson has officially won the Week 1 job after a tight three-man competition with senior Maalik Murphy and Western Michigan transfer Brady Jones. Atkinson, the reigning Jerry Rice Award winner, arrives with a résumé that includes 3,611 passing yards and 34 touchdowns in 2025, and he backed that production up in camp with sharp decision-making, poise when the pocket tightened, and accurate throws. He also picked up Shephard’s offense quickly and showed he could keep plays alive when things broke down, which helped him separate in the race and earn the start against Houston.
One of the most encouraging signs for Oregon State has been the immediate connection between Atkinson and Alabama transfer wide receiver Aeryn “Bubba” Hampton. Reunited with Shephard after following him from Alabama, Hampton has wasted little time carving out an important role on the outside.
The former four-star recruit brings quickness, agility, and strong tracking on deep balls, and that familiarity with the system has made his transition look seamless. He has already shown the kind of speed that can stretch a defense and the after-the-catch burst to turn routine completions into chunk gains.
The other name drawing steady attention is Xavyion Noland, who transferred in from UT Rio Grande Valley and quickly settled into a major slot role. At 5-foot-6, he may not look imposing at first glance, but he was one of August camp’s most consistent playmakers.
Noland’s quick feet, dependable hands, and ability to change direction in a flash have helped him create separation, giving Atkinson a trustworthy option over the middle and on quick screens. His big-play profile is already established, too: he averaged 22.5 yards per catch, and that explosiveness has given him a strong case for a bigger role in the passing game.
As fall camp pushes toward game-week work, Oregon State’s offensive identity is starting to take shape around players who can execute quickly and create after the catch. For now, Atkinson, Hampton, and Noland are the names generating the clearest momentum.
In Other News...
Oregon State Should Watch This Eligibility Fight Very Closely
As college football edges toward another season, a growing eligibility debate is landing squarely on the sports front burners. Coaches around the country are split on whether players who are cut from NFL rosters should be able to circle back to college football, and the uncertainty has only intensified as conference leaders sort through what the rules should look like.
For Oregon State, the stakes are obvious because the answer could reshape the transfer and roster market in real time. The issue is still unresolved, but legal challenges could end up steering the final decision, leaving schools like the Beavers to watch closely as the Power Conference side of the sport tries to draw a line on who gets back in and who does not. [Read more 🡒]
Rutschman Is Giving Beavs Fans A Reason To Watch Boston Closely
Several former Oregon State standouts are still leaving their mark in the major leagues, and the latest ripple for Beavers fans is coming from Boston. Nolan Rutschman has settled in as the Red Soxs starting catcher, and even while the bat has lagged, his glove work has helped him carve out a real role behind the plate. For a program that keeps producing big-league talent, it is another reminder that OSU alumni are worth tracking well beyond the box score.
The pitching side has been a little less smooth for a pair of other former Beavs. Matt Boyd has been hit hard over his last stretch, and Drew Rasmussen is trying to shake off a rough outing as he prepares for his next start against the Tigers today. For Oregon State followers, the story is familiar: some alumni are helping teams push toward October, while others are working through the kind of bumps that make every outing matter a little more. [Read more 🡒]
Beavers Lost The Coach Behind One Of Their Most Memorable Wins
Dave Kragthorpe, the former Oregon State coach who guided the Beavers from 1985 to 1990, died at age 93. His time in Corvallis remains tied to one of the programs landmark moments, and he was also recognized as the 1989 Pac-10 coach of the year during a coaching career that stretched across several schools.
Kragthorpes rsum reached well beyond Oregon State. He won the 1981 Division I-AA national championship at Idaho State, later served as Utah States athletic director and was inducted into Utah States athletics Hall of Fame in 2009, a reminder of how much of his life was spent shaping programs in more than one role. [Read more 🡒]