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A Quick Look at Impact Offensive Newcomers For Oregon State Football In 2024

Lots of new faces! Here are some to get to know

Travis Johannes

Look who's back. Back again. Jam is back. Tell a friend
Look who's back. Back again. Jam is back. Tell a friend / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The last eight months have seen a tidal wave of change for Oregon State football. While many players left, many others have traversed an Oregon Trail of their own and settled in Corvallis.

Here is a quick look at some of those players that you will want to get to know on the offensive side of the ball in Trent Bray's first season as head coach.

Quarterback

Gevani McCoy

Gevani McCoy
Could Gevani be the real McCoy for the Beavs? / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

McCoy joined the Beavs after transferring from Idaho with two years of eligibility remaining. He brings plenty of starting experience at the FCS level, where he was a 2023 Walter Payton Award finalist. He may not be expected to be the starter, but he does have the most experience in the QB room and did get the bulk of reps in the spring with others nursing injuries. Could that give him the upper hand in fall camp?

Gabarri Johnson

The Missouri transfer is thought by many to be the most talented passer on the roster. He was a highly regarded recruit coming out of Lincoln High School (Tacoma, Wa), but never got things rolling at Mizzou. With four years of eligibility he may be the future at QB, but will he be the present as well?

Wide Receiver

Darrius Clemons

Darrius Clemons
The Beavs have a national champ on the roster / Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Fresh off a national championship with Michigan, the Westview high school (Beaverton, Or) alum decided to come home and rock the orange and black. With two years of eligibility remaining the hope is the former four-star recruit can come in and make an immediate impact for a revamped offense. Clemons could make an impact on special teams as a return man as well

Jordan Anderson


Malachi Durant

The 2024 recruiting class saw Oregon State land two big time receivers in Jordan Anderson and Malachi Durant. Both were high three-star/low four-star recruits with a plethora of offers from Power 5 schools. It may not show right away, but both could be a vital part of the Beavs revamped offense by season's end.

RELATED: COLUMN: Mildly Interesting Notes About Oregon State Football 2024 Opponents

Running Back

Jam Griffin

Jam Griffin
Orange you glad Jam is back? / BRIAN HAYES / STATESMAN JOURNAL / USA

Much like Ross and Rachel or JD and Elliot for my fellow Scrubs fans, Jam Griffin and Oregon State have gotten back together again just in time to for the series finale, also known as Jam's last year of eligibility.

The former Beav returns after a year with with Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss. Griffin's experience both at OSU and Ole Miss should give him the best chance at making an immediate impact filling in for the departed Damian Martinez. He's a prime candidate to get the bulk of the carries.

Anthony Hankerson

Anthony Hankerson
Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes running back Anthony Hankerson (9) celebrates after defeating the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The first of several Colorado transfers on the offensive side of the ball, Anthony Hankerson has two years to make a name for himself in Beaver lore. While Griffin will likely be the lead back Hankerson should have plenty of chances to tote the rock. He rushed for 593 yards and 4 touchdowns during his two years in Boulder and caught a touchdown pass against the Beavs in 2023.

Offensive Line


Van Wells and Gerard Christian-Lichtenhan

Van Wells
Van Wells will likely start at center / Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports


Gerard Christian-Lichtenhan

The other two Colorado transfers were previously coached by Kyle Devan in 2022 and should have a shot to make an immediate impact with Devan in 2024. Van Wells is likely to start at center after getting a ton of reps during the spring, while Gerard "Tank" Christian-Lichtenhan and his 6'10" frame will have a good shot to take a tackle spot when he dons the orange and black for he first time during fall camp. Wells has one year of eligibility for the Beavs while Tank has two.

Let me know your thoughts Beav fans! Hit me up on twitter @travislikesdogs to tell me who you think will be a Beaver legend of this crew, or maybe someone I missed.

Check back later this week for a look at the newcomers on the defensive side of the ball.

Published
Travis Johannes
TRAVIS JOHANNES

Beaver alum (08) who writes with his heart and not his head. Often thinks about what life would be like if Ryan Cesca made that damn kick. Want in depth analysis and film breakdown? I ain't your guy. Puns and jokes that only three people will get? I'm your huckleberry.

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