Oregon State football names Gevani McCoy starting quarterback for Beavers season-opener

CORVALLIS — The Oregon State Beavers have settled on their starting quarterback.

During his Monday press conference, Oregon State head coach Trent Bray said OSU will roll with Gevani McCoy as its starting signal-caller for Saturday's Week 1 showdown with Idaho State.

"It was real close in fall camp," Bray said. "Just kind of the last week, Gevani was on a big up-tick. Separated himself a little bit and that's what led to the decision."

Oregon State's quarterback battle was neck-and-neck throughout fall camp with Ben Gulbranson, Gabarri Johnson and McCoy getting a fair share of reps with the first-team offense. On the Beavers' Week 1 depth chart, Gulbranson is listed as the backup and Johnson is listed at No. 3.

Midway through camp , OSU offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson acknowledged the battle was too close to call as all three players had produced bright moments during 11-on-11 scenarios.

"He started making the plays we need him to make," Bray said of McCoy. "Comfort with the offense and then doing stuff with his legs which is what we like about him in the first place — not only his ability with his arm but the ability to make plays running the ball when things break down. That's kind of what he saw in the last week."

McCoy, a redshirt junior, transferred to OSU from Idaho last offseason. In his final campaign with the Vandals in 2023, he earned first-team all-Big Sky Conference honors after throwing for 2,910 yards and completing 55% of his passes.

In two games last season, Gulbranson threw for 186 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He served as the program's third-string signal-caller behind DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles. But both players opted to transfer elsewhere last offseason.

In 2022, Gulbranson started 10 games and threw for 1,455 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions while leading OSU to a 10-3 record.

"(Gulbranson) is a great quarterback. We know we can win with him," Bray said. "He's going to have an opportunity and the same thing with (Johnson). So there's a plan and that's kind of what (offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson) is going through right now is what exactly that looks like."

Johnson is a Missouri transfer and former four-star recruit in the 2023 signing class. He did not play during his true freshman season.

Oregon State will open its season against Idaho State at Reser Stadium on Saturday. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m., and the game will air on The CW.

Jarrid Denney covers high school sports and Oregon State for the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at JDenney@salem.gannett.com or on X @jarrid_denney

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon State football names Gevani McCoy starting quarterback for Beavers season-opener