Oregon State Spring Analysis: Quarterbacks

Well folks, it’s finally here. The position preview that you’ve all been waiting for since we started this back in April. We have analyzed every single position group at OSU in preparation for the upcoming season, and now we break down the most important position for the Beavers heading into fall. The quarterbacks.

Catch up on our preview spring analysis stories in the links below.

Oregon State Spring Analysis: Defensive Line | Safeties | Outside Linebackers | Cornerbacks | Inside Linebackers | Tight Ends | Wide Receivers | Offensive Line | Running Backs | Special Teams

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Darell Garretson, SR

Marcus McMaryion, JR

Conor Blount, RS-FR (Expected to redshirt this season. Otherwise, he's a SO)

Very rarely do you look at the returners at the position and say that all of the guys are on the outside looking in. But in this instance, they all are. None of these guys did enough throughout the course of the season to assert themselves at the de-facto No. 1 guy heading into spring practice. Darell Garretson earned the starting job early last season, but struggled with lingering injuries and consistency issues before being lost for the season. Conor Blount jumped onto the scene against Boise State, replacing an ineffective Garretson and showed flashes of potential before being replaced by Garretson. Of all the guys here, McMaryion played the best in 2016. He started the final six games of the season, and led the Beavers to two wins in those six starts. However, there have been question marks about his consistency and that is why there is still a quarterback battle brewing in Corvallis.

Jake Luton, JR (arrived in January)

Aidan Willard, FR

Of these two guys, one is an instant contender for the starting position, while the other is a guy that will be impactful a few years down the line. Luton arrived in time for spring football and made the most of it. He looked very good in spring ball and showed why he might have the inside track to the starting job. I do like several aspects of Aidan Willard’s game. However, he is going to be a true freshman in the fall, and he could use a year or two of seasoning from OSU’s staff before being considered for the starting position.

The most important storyline coming into spring was the quarterback battle and who would emerge with the starting job. Many of OSU’s staffers mentioned that they wanted to have a starter named coming out of spring ball, but unfortunately for fans, the Beavers weren’t able to name a starter. Gary Andersen said that he feels that they have three quarterbacks who can win them games (Garretson, McMaryion, and Luton). Andersen also joked with the media during spring that we might not find out who the starter is until just hours before the Colorado State game. I don’t think that’s likely, but you never know with Andersen, who holds his cards very close. In terms of spring practice, I think it’s clear that Jake Luton is the most qualified to be the starting quarterback. He was consistently the first quarterback to take reps each and every day, and was arguably the best quarterback on the field each day. That doesn’t mean that Garretson and McMaryion didn’t have their days too, but in terms of overall consistency, I’d give the nod to Luton.

McMaryion comes next in my opinion. If he can continue to make progress in the offseason, he could be nipping at Luton’s heels in the fall, and could make a play for the starting job. Garretson is on the outside looking in by my estimation. He had a very poor spring early, but was able to play well late, especially in the spring game. But will it be enough? The coaching staff is high on Garretson, and before injury last season, he looked every bit as good as advertised, including a gutty performance against Minnesota. All three of these guys had their up’s and down’s in spring, but based on performance, I would have to give the nod to Jake Luton if the season started tomorrow.

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MVP, Jake Luton

There really isn’t anyone else who can be the MVP here. Luton stole the show early in spring because of his football abilities and IQ. It was evident early that Luton had the best arm on the team, proving he could make all of the throws. It was also clear that he picked up OSU’s playbook very quickly. He seemed comfortable going through his progressions, and making the right throws early in the spring session. He also was comfortable running the ball on the zone-read which is key for OSU’s offense. If there was one thing he could improve on, it's intermediate to deep accuracy. He has the arm to make all of the throws, but he needs to get a little better with accuracy to lock up the starting job.

Biggest surprise, Darell Garretson

Garretson earns the nod of biggest surprise, because I was really high on him last season before injuries really ended his season before it really got started. In my opinion, Garretson was never 100 percent after the Minnesota game where Tai’yon Devers blindsided Garretson several times. Prior to that point, Garretson was playing very well football against Minnesota, and I don’t think we ever saw that Garretson again. He was surprising in spring because I didn’t see that Minnesota Garretson until very late in spring. He was inconsistent early, and I don’t think he was super comfortable coming off that ankle injury until later in the session. Despite an underwhelming spring, don’t sleep on Garretson. The coaching staff loves this kid and gave him the starting nod last season. There is an outside chance they give him a chance again this season as well.

Most underrated, Marcus McMaryion

Marcus McMaryion has done everything quietly since he’s arrived on campus in 2014. He is a soft spoken individual that has had the same upbeat and positive attitude through all the up’s and down’s. In 2015, he lost a tightly contested QB battle to Seth Collins, and fell all the way to 3rd on the depth chart when Nick Mitchell passed him, but he rebounded to start in the Civil War. In 2016, he was unable to beat out Darell Garretson and was moved down to 3rd on the depth chart again when Conor Blount passed him. However, injuries opened the door again and he ran with the opportunity. This year, he is considered to be 2nd string behind Jake Luton. McMaryion might not be the best quarterback on the roster, but he has the most Pac-12 starting experience and that is invaluable in my opinion. He might just be the be best backup in the Pac-12 if Luton does indeed win the job. He has kept the same positive demeanor throughout his college career, and that is one of the admirable things about McMaryion.

Starter: Jake Luton

Backup’s in order: Marcus McMaryion, Darell Garretson