Sean Mannion threw for more yards in 2013 than Oregon State has the past two seasons combined. But have the Beavers found a quarterback in 2017?
Jake Luton isa redshirt junior transfer from Ventura College where he was a JC All-America selection. He's 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds. Arm strength is not a question.
But can he play?
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Early in the 2017 college football opener at Fort Collins versus Colorado State, Luton missed his targets a few times, including a wide open receiver down the field. A series later, however, Luton hit Timmy Hernandez in stride for a 41-yard score.
In recent seasons, the game plan for OSU opponents has been to handle the running game and force the QB to beat you. Marcus McMaryion, who has since transferred out, wasn't able to do that. Seth Collins and Nick Mitchell had their problems, too, and as good as Ryan Nall is, he can't do it alone.
Luton, even at his size, showed early in the Beavers' game he can run a bit, too. It's ridiculously early in the season, but Luton appears to have physical skills Oregon State has not had at the position since Mannion.
If Luton turns out to be a solid addition at quarterback — he finished the first quarter 11-for-19 for 116 yards and a TD — Gary Andersen's crew may have something going in Corvallis, where they're trying to build on a 4-8 season. Remember, OSU went 2-10 in 2015 and didn't win a conference game. Luton may be another piece of the puzzle.
