Change has been a hallmark for college football in 2024 and few places have experienced as much as the Oregon State Beavers. With a new head coach in Trent Bray and an amended deal with the Mountain West as a scheduling partner, the Beavers will chart new territory in the Pac-12.
Who will be the top 10 returning players who help the Beavers rebuild the dam?
Oregon State Beavers Top 10 Returners in 2024
Analyzing the returning players at every school is a difficult task in the transfer portal era. As such, we’ve included transfer-portal athletes that were included on each team’s roster page to open fall camp in addition to the rostered players from last year.
10) Van Wells, Center
A Rimington Trophy candidate in the preseason, Wells arrived in Corvallis via the transfer portal as part of the herd of Buffaloes to leave Boulder. He played in 11 games and saw over 1,000 snaps for the Buffaloes over two seasons and has two years of eligibility left.
Wells will step into a unit that was spectacular in 2023 and returns multiple starters. His strength as a pass blocker will be key for the Beavers as they try to continue the trend of being one of college football’s best at keeping quarterbacks comfortable.
9) Jack Kane, Safety
Kane had 23 tackles and three pass breakups with 0.5 tackles for loss in nine games in 2023. He also appeared in 10 games in 2022, bringing experience to a secondary that has seen departures following the 2023 season.
Kane is a tough, gritty player who brings leadership and football IQ to the position. While he doesn’t bring elite size at 5’10” and 187 pounds, he will be a critical part of a secondary that looks to replace the production of Kitan Oladapo.
8) Isaiah Chisom, Linebacker
Chisom redshirted in 2023 but still saw action in five games including the Sun Bowl. His 14 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup should give Beavers fans plenty of excitement for his potential in the upcoming season.
Chisom is a bit undersized at 6’0″ and 218 pounds but he plays with a chip on his shoulder and nuance that makes up for whatever he may lack in size. He’ll continue a tradition of in-house development at the linebacker position that has led the unit to become one of the Beavers’ most successful in recent years.
7) Takari Hickle, EDGE
Just a sophomore after playing in eight games in 2023 and a redshirt season in 2022, Hickle had six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one forced fumble, and one quarterback hurry last year.
Hickle has a great frame and size for the Edge position at 6’3″ and 272 pounds. His production as a pass rusher in limited opportunities has been a massive win for Oregon State. With more time and snaps his production should increase, assuming the Beavers can develop the players around him. Whether he’s drawing double teams or sacking the quarterback, Hickle will be a key component to Oregon State’s defensive plans.
6) Darrius Clemons, Wide Receiver
At 6’3″, 211 pounds, Clemons brings size and pedigree with him as a transfer from the national champion Michigan Wolverines. He caught four passes for 40 yards with the Wolverines and played in 22 games over his two seasons in Ann Arbor.
Clemons is a former four-star prospect according to the 247 Sports composite ranking system. The experience of playing for a championship-caliber program combined with the opportunity to catch more passes should allow Clemons to excel out west.
5) Ben Gulbranson, Quarterback
Gulbranson became the forgotten man in 2023 after going 7-1 in 2022 as the starter. Gulbranson passed for 1,455 yards and nine touchdowns in that stretch and rushed for five touchdowns on 52 yards.
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He only played in two games, as DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles passed him on the depth chart, but Gulbranson’s loyalty to the Beavers is going to pay off as he will be the starter in 2024. The arrival of Clemons and others will negate the departure of multiple wide receivers from 2023, and Gulbranson will have one of the better offensive lines in college football protecting him.
4) Noble Thomas Jr, Safety
Playing in six games in 2023 for Oregon State, Thomas returns to a secondary having posted 19 tackles, three pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry. The redshirt sophomore stuck around Corvallis and will be an anchor in the secondary under Bray.
Thomas is a shade under 6’0″ and weighs 192 pounds but is a hard hitter who plays with intensity. Bray’s hire should only amplify those traits as the Beavers prepare to boast one of college football’s more physical secondaries.
3) Jam Griffin, Running Back
Griffin returns to Corvallis after a stint in the SEC with Ole Miss in 2023. Starting his career at Georgia Tech, he had his best season in 2022 with the Beavers where he rushed for 488 yards on 86 carries.
Griffin appeared in 12 games for the Rebels but didn’t see the kind of workload that he was capable of handling. A return to a program and system that he’s familiar with should be a win-win for both sides.
2) Anthony Hankerson, Running Back
Hankerson left Colorado for Corvallis and brought with him versatility and speed for the Oregon State rushing attack. He played in 20 games for the Buffaloes and racked up 593 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 146 carries.
Hankerson is also a receiver out of the backfield, catching 21 passes for 95 yards and a score. The junior back looks to be part of a multi-faceted rushing attack that will continue a standard set by the Beavers in previous years.
1) Joshua Gray, Offensive Line
A second-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2023, Gray has started in 44 games for one of the most standout units in the nation. His 44 starts are six short of the program record, speaking to Gray’s experience in the trenches.
He has been a mainstay for a unit that averaged 196.5 yards on the ground and 396 yards overall while allowing just 19 sacks, good enough for third place in the Pac-12 in 2023. He’s a candidate for both the Outland and Lombardi trophies and will have the attention of NFL scout, too.
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