The start of spring ball reveals a suddenly deep quarterback room in Corvallis

DJU may be the new star in town, but life in Corvallis has been pretty great for Ben Gulbranson this offseason.

CORVALLIS — Life was good this offseason for Ben Gulbranson. 

Then again, if you ask the quarterback who started the final eight games for Oregon State in 2022, life has always been pretty good around Corvallis. 

Awesome people, he says. A genuine fan base. 

But after a 10-win season that saw the Beavers beat Oregon, then win a bowl game for the first time since 2013? 

“Yeah, it’s pretty cool,” the redshirt sophomore said. “I’ll be in Chipotle or something and people will be like, ‘Hey, what’s up?’ I think that’s pretty cool.” 

Gulbranson spoke Tuesday after Oregon State’s first spring practice of the season. Behind him, the progress of Oregon State’s $162-million renovation of Reser Stadium roared on. It’s slated for a fall opening, an unveiling if you will for an era of Oregon State football where contending for conference championships is now the standard. The Beavers nearly got there in 2022, especially once Gulbranson took over as the team’s starting quarterback. His numbers didn’t pop — 1,455 yards, 9 touchdowns, 5 interceptions — but it never mattered because the Beavers went 7-1 with him as the starter.  

But playing in a conference where nearly every school is loaded at the position, progress at quarterback will be the single biggest separator between whether the Beavers can take that next step. Gulbranson believes that can happen with his right arm. Most believe progress for the Beavers happens under the quarterback who didn’t speak to the media on Tuesday: Clemson transfer D.J. Uiagalelei. 

“He’s a great dude,” Gulbranson said. “We have a good connection.” 

He’s got quite the arm, too.