The Beavers’ Bizarre New Reality
Imagine waking up one day to find your entire neighborhood has packed up and moved, leaving you and one grumpy neighbor to guard the cul-de-sac. That’s roughly what happened to Oregon State University’s football program when the Pac-12 Conference imploded in 2023. Ten of the twelve teams bolted for greener (or at least wealthier) pastures in the Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC, leaving Oregon State and Washington State as the last Beavers and Cougars standing in a conference that was once a Power Five staple. By 2024, the Pac-12 was less a conference and more a scheduling agreement, with Oregon State playing a mishmash of Mountain West opponents and Power Four non-conference games. It was like being invited to a potluck where everyone else brought caviar, and you’re stuck with a casserole.
Fast forward to 2025, and Oregon State is navigating a new chapter under head coach Trent Bray, a former Beaver linebacker who took the helm in November 2023 after Jonathan Smith defected to Michigan State. The Beavers are no longer Pac-12 members in the traditional sense, instead leaning heavily on a scheduling alliance with the Mountain West Conference for 2024 and 2025 while the Pac-12 attempts to rebuild by adding four Mountain West teams—Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State—starting in 2026. This transition has left Oregon State in a peculiar spot: a program with Power Five pedigree, facilities, and ambitions, but temporarily slumming it in a Group of Five neighborhood. The 2025 season is a pivotal one for the Beavers, as they aim to rebuild their roster, rekindle fan support, and prove they can dominate their new competition. Let’s dive into the facts of Oregon State’s 2025 rebuild, from Bray’s leadership to the transfer portal haul, and explore whether Corvallis can rise from the ashes of the Pac-12’s collapse.
The 2024 Season: A Mixed Bag in Corvallis
To understand Oregon State’s 2025 trajectory, we need to rewind to 2024, a year that was equal parts promising and painful. The Beavers finished 5-7 overall, a step back from their 8-5 record in 2023 under Smith. The season kicked off with a 38-15 thumping of Idaho State, where running backs Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson each rushed for over 150 yards, signaling a smash-mouth identity under first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson. A 39-31 double-overtime win over Colorado State in Week 6 pushed Oregon State to 4-1, sparking hope that Bray could keep the program competitive despite the conference chaos.
But the wheels wobbled midseason. A 42-37 loss at Nevada exposed defensive vulnerabilities, with the Wolf Pack gashing Oregon State for 353 rushing yards. Quarterback Gevani McCoy, a transfer from Idaho, threw for a season-high 348 yards but also tossed four interceptions, including a pick-six that sealed the defeat. Injuries piled up—star running back Griffin missed the Nevada game, and the offensive line struggled to protect McCoy. A 44-7 drubbing at California prompted Bray to briefly bench McCoy for backup Ben Gulbranson, though McCoy regained the starting role later. The Beavers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 41-38 upset over No. 25 Washington State, dubbed the impromptu “Pac-12 championship,” thanks to Gulbranson’s 294 passing yards and a 55-yard field goal by Everett Hayes. But a shutout loss at Air Force (where Gulbranson was sidelined by a concussion) and a final loss to Oregon capped a disappointing finish.
The 5-7 record wasn’t catastrophic for a program in transition, but it underscored the challenges of competing without a true conference home. Oregon State’s hybrid schedule—featuring Power Four foes like Oregon, Purdue, and Texas Tech alongside Mountain West teams—tested their depth. The Beavers leaned on their running game (averaging 6.1 yards per carry against Idaho State) but struggled defensively, especially against the run, and lacked consistency at quarterback. These lessons shape the 2025 rebuild, as Bray and his staff aim to bolster the roster and adapt to their new reality.
Trent Bray: The Linebacker Turned Architect
At the heart of Oregon State’s rebuild is Trent Bray, a Corvallis native who embodies Beaver toughness. Bray played linebacker for Oregon State from 2002 to 2005, earning All-Pac-10 honors, and later served as an assistant coach under Smith from 2018 to 2023, including stints as defensive coordinator. When Smith left for Michigan State, Bray was the natural choice to take over, named head coach on November 28, 2023. His deep ties to the program—described by fans as a “Beaver through and through”—gave him instant credibility, but 2024 showed that rebuilding a program in college football’s new era of realignment and transfers is no easy task.
Bray’s approach is grounded in physicality and discipline, reflecting his linebacker roots. In 2024, he emphasized a run-heavy offense, with 362 rushing yards in the season opener, and a defense that aimed to be stout against the pass (though it faltered against the run in losses like Nevada). His decision to stick with McCoy as the starting quarterback despite struggles showed loyalty to his players, but the late-season switch to Gulbranson suggested flexibility. Bray’s challenge in 2025 is to translate his vision into wins, especially against Mountain West opponents where Oregon State should have a talent edge. The Beavers’ 2024 performance against Mountain West teams (e.g., wins over Colorado State and a close loss to Nevada) indicates potential dominance, but Bray must shore up defensive depth and find a reliable quarterback to lead the charge.
The Transfer Portal: Oregon State’s Lifeline
With the Pac-12’s collapse and Oregon State’s uncertain future, the transfer portal has become Bray’s best friend. In the 2024 offseason, the Beavers lost eight players to the portal, including key contributors, but gained eleven transfers, per 247 Sports. This aggressive portal strategy continued into 2025, with Oregon State securing another eleven transfers by January 7, 2025, all enrolled for the winter quarter. These additions are critical for a program that lost starters to graduation and transfers like quarterback Gevani McCoy, who entered the portal on December 8, 2024, and landed at Texas State.
The crown jewel of the 2025 transfer class is quarterback Maalik Murphy, a 6’5”, 203-pound redshirt junior from Duke. In 2024, Murphy started 12 games for the Blue Devils, throwing for 2,933 yards and a Duke single-season record 26 touchdowns, ranking 13th nationally. His arrival fills the void left by McCoy and Ben Gulbranson, who left to pursue medical school. Murphy’s arm strength and experience make him the likely starter for 2025, offering a significant upgrade in the passing game. Other notable transfers include offensive linemen J.T. Hand (Arizona), Josiah Timoteo (Nevada), and Keyon Cox (Central Florida), addressing the loss of four starting linemen to graduation. These additions, combined with returning lineman Tyler Voltin (recovering from an ACL tear) and Tyler Morano (expected back by August), should solidify the line, protecting Murphy and opening lanes for the running game.
On defense, transfers like outside linebacker Nikko Taylor and safety Tyrice Ivy, both eligible for 2025 due to an NCAA waiver for former junior college players, add depth. The Beavers also retained defensive tackle Thomas Collins and expect Tygee Hill, a former LSU transfer, to contribute after missing 2024 due to a university investigation. Receiver T’Andre Waverly, a 6’4”, 225-pound high school senior who joined as a late addition, brings size to the passing game. These portal moves show Bray’s focus on immediate impact players, a necessity for a program that can’t rely on Pac-12 recruiting pipelines anymore.
The 2025 Schedule: A Mountain West Gauntlet
Oregon State’s 2025 football schedule, announced in late 2024, reflects their limbo status. The Beavers will play a hybrid slate, including two games against Washington State (a nod to their Pac-12 roots) and a mix of Mountain West and Power Four opponents. While the full schedule isn’t public, the Mountain West scheduling agreement ensures matchups against teams like Boise State, Fresno State, and San Diego State, who will join the Pac-12 in 2026. Non-conference games against Power Four teams are likely, given Oregon State’s 2024 slate included Oregon, Purdue, and Texas Tech.
The Mountain West presents both opportunity and risk. Oregon State’s 2024 wins over Colorado State and Idaho State suggest they can overpower mid-tier Group of Five teams, but losses to Nevada and Air Force highlight defensive vulnerabilities. Boise State, a perennial Group of Five powerhouse, will be a litmus test; the Broncos haven’t lost to a Pac-12 team since 2019 and boast a 17-4 road record over the last four seasons. Fresno State and San Diego State, both joining the Pac-12 in 2026, will also be motivated to prove themselves against Oregon State. The Beavers’ ability to dominate these games will depend on Murphy’s integration, the offensive line’s cohesion, and defensive improvements under Bray.
Rebuilding Fan Momentum in Corvallis
One of Oregon State’s biggest challenges is keeping Reser Stadium rocking. The Beavers have a loyal fanbase, but the Pac-12’s collapse and a 5-7 season dampened enthusiasm. The 2024 home opener against Idaho State saw fans storm the field after the Colorado State win, but attendance waned during the late-season skid. With no conference championship to chase in 2025, Bray must sell the narrative of a program on the rise. The addition of high-profile transfers like Murphy and the promise of a rebuilt Pac-12 in 2026 could help.
Oregon State’s new uniforms, unveiled in 2024 for the first time since 2019, are a small but symbolic step toward refreshing the brand. The run-heavy identity, which produced 362 rushing yards against Idaho State, gives fans something to cheer for—few things fire up a crowd like a ground-and-pound offense. Bray’s local roots also resonate; his commitment to Corvallis contrasts with Smith’s departure, and fans appreciate his “one of us” vibe. Still, winning is the ultimate antidote to apathy. A 7-5 or 8-4 season in 2025, especially with wins over Mountain West rivals, could reignite Beaver Nation.
The Pac-12’s Long-Term Plan
Oregon State’s 2025 season is a bridge to 2026, when the Pac-12 aims to relaunch with eight teams: Oregon State, Washington State, and the four Mountain West additions, plus two more yet to be named. The conference paid a $43 million withdrawal fee to the Mountain West and faces $17 million exit fees per departing school, a costly bet on restoring Power Five status. The goal is to become the fifth-best football conference, behind the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, and ACC, with automatic College Football Playoff access. For now, Oregon State and Washington State remain CFP-eligible as independents, but without a conference title game, their path is brutal—a near-perfect season is required.
This long-term vision shapes 2025’s stakes. A strong season could position Oregon State as the rebuilt Pac-12’s alpha, attracting recruits and boosting media deals. A flop could erode momentum, especially if Boise State or Fresno State outshine them. Bray’s ability to leverage the transfer portal and maximize returning talent like running back Anthony Hankerson, who rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns against Nevada, will be critical.
The Road Ahead: Can Oregon State Dominate?
Oregon State’s 2025 rebuild is a high-wire act. The Beavers have the infrastructure—Reser Stadium, a $200 million renovation completed in 2023, and a loyal fanbase—to compete at a high level. Bray’s leadership, rooted in program history, provides stability. The transfer portal haul, led by Maalik Murphy, addresses key roster holes. But the Mountain West gauntlet, defensive depth issues, and the psychological toll of realignment pose real threats.
If Bray can harness Murphy’s arm, lean on a veteran offensive line, and tighten the run defense, Oregon State could realistically aim for 7-5 or 8-4. Dominating Mountain West foes like Colorado State and San Diego State is non-negotiable; splitting with Boise State or Fresno State would be a bonus. The Beavers’ 2024 upset of Washington State proves they can hang with ranked teams, but consistency is the key. For now, Oregon State is a proud program in exile, fighting to reclaim its place. In Corvallis, the orange and black still fly high, and 2025 is their chance to show the college football world that Beavers don’t just build dams—they build dynasties.
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