It’s incumbent starter Ben Gulbranson and Clemson transfer D.J. Uiagalelei as equal frontrunners for the Beavers’ starting quarterback job, with freshman Aidan Chiles trying to enter the conversation
There wasn’t a defined starting quarterback heading into the first five preseason camps of Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith’s tenure.
It will become six in August.
Anyone who thought there might be progress this spring regarding a pecking order at quarterback wasn’t paying attention. When the dust settled after the spring showcase finale, the Beavers’ quarterback depth chart didn’t move.
It’s a dead heat between incumbent starter Ben Gulbranson and Clemson transfer D.J. Uiagalelei, with freshman Aidan Chiles itching to get into the conversation.
Sorting out the quarterback depth chart wasn’t Smith’s spring practice plan. Uiagalelei was stepping into OSU’s offensive system for the first time. Chiles took his first snap in a college football practice. Gulbranson had an obvious edge in experience.
“The whole time the plan was to take this to fall camp,” Smith said. “Ben’s obviously comfortable with the scheme. D.J. needed to learn, experience some reps. And we got to learn about his game a little bit. What he does well, what he’s comfortable. It was all about that kind of thing.”
With spring practice more than two weeks in the rearview mirror, Smith and his coaches had time to dissect video. What did they see? Smith offered details:
Uiagalelei: “It was a brand new scheme for D.J. He continued to get more and more comfortable during the back half of spring ball. He was able to show us more of his talent. We didn’t let him run all that much, and that’s part of his game. His physical presence, moving and scrambling and all that stuff.”
Chiles: “I thought Aidan was impressive for a freshman. Got a good amount of turns. He’s got talent, but also I was really impressed how he absorbed the offense and played with poise. It kind of came natural to him.”
Gulbranson: “We wanted to learn about the two new guys, but we also gave Ben enough reps to improve on some of his game.”
Smith expects “healthy competition” at quarterback when preseason camp opens in August. Whereas last year Chance Nolan had a jump on the competition heading into camp for the starting job, Smith said it will be an “open competition” at the outset of camp.
Smith said he and offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren haven’t planned the early days of camp, but he believes the reps with the first unit will be equally divided between Gulbranson and Uiagalelei.
Where does Chiles fit?
Most of Chiles’ spring practice turns came with the second and third offensive units. Chiles “didn’t get many reps with the ones. He might get some more reps with the ones in fall camp and show that he can play well with the first group,” Smith said.
What factors will determine who will start at quarterback in the 2023 season opener at San Jose State on Sept. 3.
“It’s going to come down who is going to allow us to score the most points with the least amount of errors,” Smith said. “All three of them will get a chance to show that.”
–Nick Daschel [email protected]
