A Quick Look at Impact Offensive Newcomers For Oregon State Football In 2024
![Look who's back. Back again. Jam is back. Tell a friend Look who's back. Back again. Jam is back. Tell a friend](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3127,h_1758,x_0,y_445/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/oregon-state-beavers-on-si/01j31ndjrhgc4xt7hztj.jpg)
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
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
100% committed βΌοΈπ¦« @itsGundy @Trainervelle @BrandonHuffman pic.twitter.com/dlRoRI65nJ
β Gabarri Johnson (@GabarriJohnson5) December 25, 2023
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
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
PIONEER MY OWN WAVE CBC #GOBEAVS π¦«. pic.twitter.com/ONhSJzrBmR
β ππππππ β πππππ β ππππππππ (@JordannCBC) December 26, 2023
Malachi Durant
1000% committedβ¦.β«οΈπ π¦«@Coach_Smith @kefenseh @TFordFSP @BeaverFootball @jml51190 @RealMG96 #GoBeavs𦫠@BrandonHuffman pic.twitter.com/SiLn8f85fu
β Malachi Durant (@MalachiDurant1) June 5, 2023
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
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
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
Gerard Christian-Lichtenhan
Letβs get it rolling @KyleDeVan68 @Coach_Bray pic.twitter.com/kWnqi5khyv
β Gerad Lichtenhan (@GeradLichtenhan) December 16, 2023
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.