In this week’s Oregon Statemailbag, Nick Daschel of The Oregonian/OregonLive responds to queries from readers on Beaver athletics.
We’re splitting this week’s mailbag into two parts because it was so full of questions. On Monday, the second one will be published.
As usual, you may contact Nick [email protected] with any mailbag questions.
Happy Christmas.
Let’s get started:
When quarterback Maalik Murphy announced his transfer to Oregon State on Thursday, there were a lot of remarks about it and how it contrasted to a recent major acquisition, DJ Uiagalelei. An example:
Unquestionably better than DJU DB
Much larger than DJ. There was just one preset receiver visible to him. processor that is slow. — @HerkyCoug
Compared to DJU, who was overrated in my opinion, this is a better deal. I’m really excited for Beaver Football, Murphy, and Trent Bray today! Erin G.
More Murphy than Uiagalelei? Some Beaver supporters only remember certain things. It makes sense that a program in need of a boost would be thrilled to acquire a well-known quarterback. However, for other reasons, I also remember similar cheering when Uiagalelei went from Clemson to OSU. It confirmed the Beavers’ program’s advancement under head coach Jonathan Smith. Many supporters think Uiagalelei is a bum because he moved on after playing quarterback for Corvallis for a year. Not surprising, considering that he departed, but untrue. Despite his shortcomings, Uiagalelei improved OSU’s quarterback position.
Was UC Irvine not Quad 1 when the Beavers defeated them, or am I missing something? They have records of 1-0 against Quad 2 and 0-2 against Quad 1. Trevor
You’re not wrong. The Anteaters were ranked No. 21 in the NCAA NET rankings when Oregon State upset UC Irvine on December 14, making it a Quad 1 victory. Since then, UC Irvine has fallen to No. 36, making it a Quad 2 victory. Only when the NCAA tournament selection committee assembles the bracket at the conclusion of the season do teams in quadrants 1 through 4 matter.
Would you mind taking a walk, Nick? — @scottinthe503
Hahahahaha. I mentioned earlier this week that if I want to ensure some Oregon State news, just go for a stroll, in case you haven’t been following along on social media. I can be sure that anything will break when I’m at least a mile away from home.
Is it possible for Jam Griffin to attempt a medical redshirt and return? Rab B.
Three or four times a week, I receive this query. I believe I’ve responded to this question half a dozen times, but I’ll say it again: Griffin is, as far as I can tell, a college graduate. Griffin played five games this season, so he is not eligible for a medical redshirt. I don’t see any existing regulations that would place Griffin on OSU’s 2025 roster, but because this is collegiate athletics, you never know.
How likely do you think it is that one or both of them will qualify for any postseason tournaments after viewing the first third of the MBB and WBB seasons? Craig W.
Men: Definitely improving the odds. To feel like it’s real, though, we need to witness more victories in crucial games. In other words, continue to defeat strong teams at home while winning a few away games. Women: In order to qualify for the NCAAs, OSU must win the WCC tournament. Don’t rule out that scenario. The WCC isn’t good this season, and the Beavers will get better as the season progresses. Despite not being the top seed in any of the previous five WCC tournaments, Portland has won three of them.
How is the portal system’s time determined? How is the portal configured for each sport? What happens if someone tampers with a student-athlete? Scott G.
This is a 1,000-word story that I will try to summarize in a few words. Every year, the NCAA creates transfer portal periods for every sport. For instance, in 2025, the dates for men’s and women’s basketball are March 24–April 25. (See the insert below.) And good luck with the meddling. Indeed, a coach from another school could receive a nasty letter from the NCAA if they are so blatant as to reach out to an athlete who is not listed in the transfer portal. However, that isn’t how it’s done. In order to get and provide athletes with information while they are still competing, agents and other third parties get in touch with friends and relatives.
Can Beaver Hoops routinely defeat Gill on the road? Will any RBs accompany Thomas Ford on his departure? Max C.
I take it that’s what Oregon State will do next? Beginning in Hawaii the next week, the Beavers will have to demonstrate that they are capable of winning away from Corvallis. It’s unlikely that Ford will bring running backs to his new position as head coach at Idaho. Unless there are no more opportunities, Oregon State running backs are not interested in switching to an FCS program. Idaho is not a target for that. That’s the truth.
Can you explain how Scott (Rueck) gathered such a bad group of passers and shooters? I’ve had season tickets for years, and I couldn’t have predicted the incredibly horrible performance tonight. As you know, Steven S., it wasn’t simply bad shooting.
The reader is alluding to OSU’s lopsided defeat at UC Irvine on Sunday, in which the team missed its first 13 three-point attempts. What took place? The majority of us are aware of the player exodus that followed the Elite Eight run the previous year. Rueck had to swiftly add players who were still in the transfer portal to his squad as the smoke cleared. This season will end if you’re a long-term follower of women’s basketball. Too much history and data from the Rueck era suggests that the 2024–25 season is an anomaly and that he will likely quickly return the program to its successful ways.
Who are the top names for high-profile RB recruiting now that a big quarterback recruit has been secured? — @oregonexplorer
It will be challenging for Oregon State to draw in a top-tier running back transfer now that Salahadin Allah and Anthony Hankerson are back. With Cornell Hatcher returning and two freshmen (Kourdey Glass and Skyler Jackson) joining the program this summer, the position is in a fairly favorable situation. It appears necessary to have a strong third down back who can block passes and receive.
For Maalik Murphy, what sort of NIL bundle did OSU put together? Kevin G.
The $64 million question is that. I’ve been looking around, but it’s like trying to capture a chicken in the open when it comes to finding reliable name, image, and likeness (NIL) information. There were a few donors willing to pay for the proper quarterback, and I’ve heard numbers as high as $1.5 million. I will continue to dig.
I’d like to know more about the vacation to Hawaii. What other activities, outside basketball, are they planning? While there, how do people celebrate Christmas? such specifics. — @neallyd2
For the Oregon State guys, who compete in the Diamond Head Classic, Sunday through Wednesday is beach time. During the tournament, several parents will be in Hawaii to celebrate the holiday with their boys. While the Beavers play on Christmas Day, a Christmas meal is scheduled for Christmas Eve. All teams are invited to the tournament’s reception on Saturday.
The contact information for Nick Daschel is 360-607-4824, [email protected], or @nickdaschel.
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