Oregon State Football is hoping to reinvigorate its program after a disappointing 2024 season. The most notable move the Beavers made is bringing in Maalik Murphy. Murphy is a transfer from Duke and led the Blue Devils to a 9-3 mark in 2024. He should provide a spark for Oregon State’s passing attack, which finished 94th a year ago. Along with him, the Beavers have brought in a few other players to fill some holes from their 2024 roster. OSU returned some key receivers as well as standout running back Anthony Hankerson. However, the biggest key for the Beavers this year should be improving their pass rush. This article will highlight three key factors that will determine whether OSU is victorious this season.
QB 1
One of the biggest pitfalls for Oregon State in 2024 was its passing attack. Their lack of aerodynamics was a huge reason the Beavers were 5-7 last year.
If Murphy is as good as expected, OSU should find themselves with at least a .500 mark in 2024. He threw for 2,933 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in his final season at Duke. The 9-3 record also indicates that he’s a winner.
Gevani McCoy had some tough games at signal caller last year, including a four-interception outing against Nevada. McCoy didn’t perform well enough in 2024, throwing for 1,300 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions. His throwing inconsistency hindered a Beavers offense that featured the 29th-ranked rushing attack.
He was a solid dual-threat quarterback, but it just wasn’t enough—Oregon State finished 95th in points scored per game last year.
Murphy doesn’t even have to be good; he has to be a little better than McCoy. If Maalik can throw more than three touchdowns, the Beavers’ 2025 season should prove dramatically better.
This feels probable.
The Rest of the Bunch
Another thing working in OSU’s favor is that they return a decent amount of production on the offensive side of the ball.
Along with the addition of Murphy, the Beavs return a few key receivers.
The most notable returner is Trent Walker. Walker had 81 catches, 901 yards, and two touchdowns last year.
Another wideout to know is Darrius Clemons. Clemons had 29 catches, 292 yards, and two touchdowns in 2024.
This duo of seniors should provide stability at the receiver position.
But the guy to look out for is Hankerson.
He led the Beavers last year with 1,082 rushing yards and fifteen touchdowns; he also added 27 catches for 151 yards.
As long as OSU’s offensive line is decent, the offense should improve from last year. They have a solid center to build around in Van Wells.
The Stopper Unit
The Beavs must find a way to pressure opposing quarterbacks this season; they finished last in the country with only seven sacks in 2024.
Oregon State is hoping for Takari Hickle to step up this year. Hickle missed the entire 2024 season, but they’ll need him to make plays if their line is going to improve.
He’s playing opposite Nikko Taylor, who led the team with 2.5 sacks last year. Tevita Pome’e complements this duo of defensive ends in the middle.
The lack of pass rush is a key reason why OSU was 100th in the nation in points allowed per game.
The rest of the defense is still unknown, but the Beavers return one standout in safety Skyler Thomas. Thomas had 81 tackles, nine deflected passes, and one interception last season.
He’s probably the most talented player Oregon State has on either side of the ball. He’ll need some support from Exodus Ayers at the cornerback position.
The linebacker unit is hoping Raesjon Davis, a transfer from USC, will fill the void left by the departure of Isaiah Chisholm.
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