Team spirits were high for Oregon State University football as the Beavers kicked off fall camp this past Wednesday.
This season will be Head Coach Trent Bray’s second year leading the program as he focuses on preparing the team for a strong start to the season against California.
“The energy is good,” Bray said. “We’re – from a knowledge standpoint – way ahead I think from where we were, especially last time this year, and then I think we’re building off where we left off in the spring, not starting over.”
According to Bray, the team is focusing on the fundamentals of their assignments and drilling down on technique.
The Beavers are facing a challenging schedule right off the bat which Bray sees as motivation for the players.
“It’s really the urgency to get it right, because we don’t have a game where we can kind of ease into it, but we got to be ready first snap when we play because we’ve got four really tough games to start the season,” Bray said. “So it’s, I think it’s a motivator for those guys to get it right and work to get it where it needs to be by that time.”
Coming off of a 5-7 season, including six losses in their final seven games, the team is determined to refine their strategy on both sides of the ball.
The Beavers are hoping that the arrival of quarterback Maalik Murphy who transferred from Duke University will be key to a stronger offense this season.
“We definitely got high hopes, high standards for the offense going into this year. Just being able to be balanced, being able to pass the ball, being able to run it as well and especially having Maalik is definitely a big, major factor,” running back Anthony Hankerson said. “He’s going to put the ball where it needs to be.”
Murphy is known for throwing the deep ball, a major asset for the team when combined with the speed of this year’s receiver room and Trent Walker in particular.
According to Walker, he and Murphy have been working closely together to build their connection on the field.
“It’s been great with Maalik … we just got to know each other on a personal level, which helps with when we get on the grass,” Walker said. “We wanted to attack the summer a little bit differently, because we wanted different results this season.”
The two players have been throwing constantly with each other and timing deep routes, according to Walker, and they’ve been learning how to deliver what the other is looking for.
Looking forward to the fall, Murphy reflected on his individual 2024 season.
“I just got to mature honestly. That was my first year, kind of starting as a full time quarterback in college, so I think it was huge. It was a big stepping stone for me to kind of get those games under my belt,” Murphy said. “So now, going into this season … I have a pretty good feel for the game. I could be more efficient and I’m able to watch myself and see what I did on tape that I could improve on and be better this upcoming season.”
As for the defense, “the potential is limitless,” outside linebacker Kai Wallin said.
Wallin, a newcomer from the University of Nebraska, is expected to help the defense fill in some gaps from last season.
“I just really like what he’s done,” said Bray, who is taking on the role of defensive coordinator this season in addition to head coach. “He just gives us a long athletic body on the edge that can rush the passes, which was something we need to improve on from a year ago.”
In addition to the strength of this year’s roster’s edges, the defense has a strong safety rotation, according to defensive back Skyler Thomas.
“I believe we’re going to be great. I love the safety rotation,” Thomas said. “I love … when you can play more than 11. I feel like you’re a great football team when you can do that.”
Another key component to this season’s approach has been cultivating personal relationships between players.
“I think we’re by far a lot closer than we were last year,” Walker said. “I think everyone knows everyone … we’re making it a point to know everyone’s names, whereas the last few years, we were close, but it didn’t feel like it feels on this team.”
Murphy echoed this sentiment, describing the relationships being formed this summer.
“I’ve been able to spend time with almost everybody on the team. No matter if it’s like bowling or just chilling at the crib playing a game,” Murphy said. “So honestly being together, and being able to learn what every person likes and what they don’t like, and kind of just (figuring) them out from a players and a person standpoint has been good over summer.”
The goal of building a culture of unity off the field is to see those relationships seep into the game.
“We believe that a team that can trust each other, that are close, right, they can use the differences that they have as strengths instead of it being weaknesses,” Thomas said.
While fall camp has just begun, the players expressed feeling excited about the upcoming season.
“There isn’t a game on (the schedule) that I’m not excited for,” Thomas said. “Anytime I get a chance to come on the grass with the guys, with the coaches, with the people of Corvallis, it’s always a wonderful time.”