You didn’t think Oregon State’s Ben Gulbranson would go quietly, did you? From the outside, the fifth-year junior appeared to be a solid quarterback option if everything fell apart in 2024. The Beavers have a new scheme, a new offensive coordinator, and two quarterback transfers with mobility and, in the case of Gabarri Johnson, untapped potential. Gulbranson is a winner in the classroom, since he’s already obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Gulbranson made his lone 2023 appearance as the starting quarterback against Notre Dame in Sun Bowl. It turns out that it was anything but a parting gift for the 6-foot-3, 218-pound Gulbranson.
Gulbranson said he briefly considered his options after last season, but it was clear to him that there’s more football in his life.
“I’m excited about my career after football. But I’m also excited about my career in football. That’s something I’ll tend to when football forces me outside,” Gulbranson said. “I love this game. I love competing. … I love how hard it is. So, I’m going to make the game force me out.”
Gulbranson appears to have made a good choice because he’s proving to be the frontrunner to win the starting quarterback job. Granted, there are two weeks of camp and two scrimmages remaining before a decision is made. But no one has consistently looked as solid and effective as Gulbranson through the first six days of camp.
Who knew a guy that was a perfect fit for Jonathan Smith’s pro-style offense could also thrive in a multiple offense with options to occasionally punish a defense with his feet?
Gulbranson, for one.
“I think I can do everything that (offensive coordinator Ryan Gunderson) asks of me in the offense. I think I have all the abilities and more to able to operate effectively,” he said.
“Sneaky” is what Gulbranson calls his mobility. “I don’t think I get enough credit for it. I think I’m pretty good at scrambling to throw and stuff like that. I can get down and get 10 yards when needed. I’m not afraid to get the first down when needed,” Gulbranson said.
