Jake Luton named Oregon State starting quarterback

Following Tuesday’s practice in Bend head coach, Gary Andersen, named Jake Luton the Beavers starting quarterback. The news was first reported by Gina Mizell from OregonLive.com.

The 6-foot-7, junior college transfer beat out Marcus McMaryion and Darell Garretson. The news isn’t totally surprising as most Beaver fans predicted that Luton would be the opening day starter. Jake Luton had to overcome adversity to win the job though. Not only was he less familiar with the playbook and team than McMaryion and Garretson, but he also had to deal with a mysterious illness in the spring that caused him to drop weight at a scary rate. Luton overcame those challenges and will now be leading the Beavers offense against Colorado State on August 26th in a hostile road environment.

Jake Luton is less mobile than either McMaryion or Garretson, but has the strongest arm and will look to improve Oregon State’s passing game that has struggled that past couple seasons. Luton will be complimented by a strong group of running backs and will look to spread the football around to the Beavers many playmakers.

Jake Luton seems energized by the announcement and was quoted by OregonLive.com saying "I've put in the work since I was 6 years old, when I started playing flag football up until now. You think back, and really, everything I've ever done in my life leads up to now -- playing Pac-12 football, where I've wanted to be."

Darell Garretson and Marcus McMaryion will need to stay ready though. Last season the Beavers started the season with Garretson until he was injured and then went with walk-on freshman Conor Blount who was also injured and then started Marcus McMaryion the final six games of the season.