Countdown to Oregon State 2023 football camp: 5 things to watch

Oregon State Beavers football spring showcase
Junior D.J. Uiagalelei, a former 5-star quarterback who transferred from Clemson, is battling incumbent starter Ben Gulbranson and freshman Aidan Chiles for the quarterback job when Oregon State's camp opens Thursday. (Sean Meagher)
Counting down the days to the start of Oregon State’s 2023 preseason football camp on Aug. 3.
Here is the 10th of 10 countdown topics: Five things to watch during camp
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1. Quarterback battle will take time to marinate
It’s a virtual certainty Oregon State will not name a starting quarterback until after camp breaks Aug. 23. The team doesn’t practice in full pads until the middle of next week, and that’s when the real competition begins. Early on, it’ll be interesting to see how many reps that freshman quarterback Aidan Chiles takes with the No. 1 offense. By mid-camp, it should be full-on between Clemson transfer D.J. Uiagalelei and incumbent starter Ben Gulbranson. If Uiagalelei shows he grasps the offense, he’s the frontrunner. Two weekend scrimmages could be the separator. Though it’s possible Uiagalelei and Gulbranson could play in the season opener at San Jose State, it’s unlikely.
2. Depth, starters that emerge at cornerback, inside linebacker
The two positions hit hardest by graduation and transfers are cornerback and inside linebacker. Both positions will have entirely new starters, and a different two-deep look this season. Jaden Robinson and Tyrice Ivy start camp atop the cornerback depth chart, but as many as six players are vying for playing time. Inside linebacker has one likely starter in third-year sophomore Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, but the remaining three spots on the depth chart are up for grabs. Can transfer Mason Tufaga and receiver convert Makiya Tongue make a difference?
3. Key players bouncing back from injuries
Several players who missed spring, or in the case of Alton Julian, haven’t played in nearly two years, because of injuries are expected to participate during Thursday’s opener. Outside linebacker John McCartan and tight end Jack Velling took the spring off, and if right, look to return to the starting lineup. Many eyes will focus on Julian, who prior to his ACL injury in October of 2021 was as good as OSU had at safety. Franke, who had shown promise early in his career at outside linebacker, is attempting to rebound from a knee injury sustained during last year’s camp.
4. Pecking order at receiver behind Anthony Gould, Silas Bolden
No Oregon State position is surer of itself at the top than receiver with juniors Gould and Bolden returning. They are the position’s clearcut leaders. But the Beavers tend to use six or more receivers on game day. It’s anyone’s guess as to who fills out the remaining opportunities. There are high hopes for Oregon State’s freshman class of Tastean Reddicks, Montrel Hatten Jr. and Zachary Card. Transfers Joel Valedez and Jamai East are possibilities, in addition to returnees Jesiah Irish and Jimmy Valsin. In addition, where does touted California transfer Jermaine Terry II and converted outside linebacker Riley Sharp fit at tight end?
5. Can Everett Hayes get his mojo back?
If Oregon State is going to pull off a dream season, the Beavers are surely going to need to kick a few fourth quarter field goals during crucial moments. Is Everett Hayes up to the challenge? The senior kicker, reliable and long during the early stages of his career, struggled with a groin injury last season and it showed. Hayes was only 6 of 13 on field goal attempts, making only two kicks beyond 30 yards. OSU needs Hayes to regain his 2021 form, when he landed on the all-conference team and made several field goals during critical situations.
--Nick Daschel