Former Eagle Collins set to share Beavers’ QB duties
- Updated: August 24, 2015
ECS.com staff and wire reports
Seth Collins, a freshman from Granite Hills High, is set to play significant time as the quarterback for the Oregon State Beavers when the season beings on Sept. 4, according to preseason reports.
It is unclear who will take the first snap for the Beavers, however, Collins and Marcus McMaryion will both play under center in OSU’s first game.
Collins is a true freshman, while McMaryion is a redshirt freshman. The pair have been neck-and-neck throughout the entire camp and the coaches have decided that the race is too close to call.
“We’re gonna go into the first game and we’re gonna play both of them,” Oregon State offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin told The Oregonian. “And play both of them probably in the second game. And probably in the third game, I’ll do the same thing.”
Baldwin also went on to say, “One will take the first reps, but it doesn’t mean he’ll take the next reps. We’ll alternate them in that first game.”
Head coach Gary Andersen had previously noted that their was “zero separation” between the two players earlier in camp.
Seth Collins
When preseason practice opened in early August, Andersen said if there wasn’t significant separation between the quarterbacks he would not be opposed to playing two signal callers. At that time, the choices were Collins and redshirt freshman Nick Mitchell in a “1A and 1B” scenario.
Collins brings big-play ability to the Beavers’ spread offense, especially as a runner, and has a swagger that you want at the quarterback position. He oozes confidence. Hurdling would-be tacklers is part of his skill set.
It’s hard to tell if Collins is a pass-first or run-first quarterback.
“I’m a score-first,” Collins said after Saturday’s scrimmage. “I feel like I can run and throw the ball. I wanna get in the end zone.”
McMaryion may have the slight edge as a passer and is more low key.
“They bring a little different style,” Andersen said.
The bottom line will be who moves the offense more consistently and there’s no way to know that until they both play in a real game.
Don’t look for the Sept. 4 opening Weber State game to provide much clarity in the quarterback competition.
In Week 2, however, OSU is at Michigan, where Collins and McMaryion will face their first true test against a perennial power before 100,000-plus fans in Ann Arbor.
“Maybe it’s the whole season. If it is, so be it,” Andersen said of playing two quarterbacks. “Whatever is best for our offense is what we’re gonna go with.”
