GoCoogs Football and Recruiting+ editor Martin Marroquin exchanged Q&As with BeaverBlitz.com‘s managing editor, Brenden Slaughter. Here are Slaughter’s answers about Oregon State:
1. What are your thoughts on new head coach JaMarcus Shepard and his staff?
Brenden Slaughter: He’s certainly brought the energy… For a first-time head coach taking on the challenge of rebuilding Oregon State, I think he’s pushing all the right buttons early. He’s surrounded himself with a great staff, and he himself has been around some high-level coaches. There’s plenty of work to be done to get to where the Beavers ultimately want to be, but I think he’s been a refreshing hire for the program and somebody who is a very charismatic person. Very excited to see how he tackles his first season…
2. What has been your impression of transfer Braden Atkinson? He was recently named starter, is that what you would have predicted through spring ball and fall camp?
BS: He’s certainly an unflappable presence… As we approached fall camp, we heard that Atkinson was the most consistent quarterback, and that led me to believe he’d be right there in the mix, but with how close they kept it to the vest, it did surprise me a bit. That being said, the coaches said they could have named him the starter almost immediately into camp, and that tells me how he separated himself from Maalik Murphy and Brady Jones shows me just how effectively he’s been playing in the Beavers’ new system. I’m excited to see how he makes the FCS-to-FBS jump after winning the Jerry Rice Award at Mercer last season.
3. Outside of Atkinson, what transfers on the offense do you think will have a big impact this season? And same question for the defense.
BS: Great question… Starting with the offense, keep an eye on the pass-catchers… At tight end, DC Temple and Eric Olsen are both new and should be heavily involved in the system. At wide receiver, Aaron Butler comes over from Texas and brings great speed, along with Xavyion Noland, who comes over from UTRGV with 831 yards and seven scores. On defense, keep an eye on linebacker transfers Dylan Layne and Jabari Odoemenem.. Both are seniors who have played a lot of football across their careers, and Shephard has called the linebacker unit the foundation of the Beaver defense.
4. In today’s college football, staff turnover also means massive roster turnover. But what players that stuck it out with the new regime do you expect big things from?
BS: Several guys come to mind… Starting on defense, look no further than perhaps the best player on the defense, linebacker Aiden Sullivan. After the season he had last year, he certainly yielded offers from elsewhere, but chose to stick it out once he got a chance to talk to Coach Shephard. He’ll certainly be in line for a big season leading the Beaver defense. On offense, I would have to say running back Cornell Hatcher. He had a mini breakout behind Anthony Hankerson last season and also had interest elsewhere, but chose to stick it out with this staff and will form a 1A, 1B punch with AJ Newberry in the backfield.
5. What’s your score prediction and why?
BS: I’m going to go with Houston 31, Oregon State 17… I think the Beavers will play better than the oddsmakers and Houston expect, but the Cougars are a top-25 team playing at home. Oregon State also played Houston really tough at home as an 0-4 squad last season, so for the guys that are on the team still, I think that’ll be a boost of confidence. Perhaps the contest is closer than expected for a while before Houston pulls away for a two-touchdown victory.
