CORVALLIS — After six consecutive days of practice to open preseason camp, the Oregon State football team was given Thursday off by first-year head coach Jonathan Smith.

The Beavers are still installing packages on both sides of the ball in preparation for their Sept. 1 opener at Ohio State. With position battles ongoing everywhere, several players have repeatedly stood out during practice.

Below are some of my observations from the first week of camp.

Impact newcomers

Multiple true freshmen are likely to see the field early this year, including tight end Isaiah Smalls, running back Jermar Jefferson, cornerback DeShon Wilson and defensive lineman Isaac Hodgins.

Smalls is all of 6 feet 4 and looks heavier than his listed weight of 222 pounds. With returning starter Noah Togiai easing his way back from offseason ankle surgery and the surprising retirement of Tuli Wily-Matagi, Smalls has suddenly become OSU’s top option at tight end.

Hodgins has been running with the first-string defense next to tackle Kalani Vakameilalo and fellow end Miki Fifita. A lower-leg injury that will keep Jeromy Reichner sidelined indefinitely could push Hodgins into the starting lineup at Ohio State.

Jefferson runs with power and surprising quickness for his 211-pound frame. Wilson has spent large portions of camp as the No. 1 left corner, demonstrating tremendous physicality and solid coverage skills.

A few redshirt freshmen have also stood out, most notably wide receiver Kolby Taylor and safety Jeffrey Manning.

Quarterback battle

Jake Luton, Conor Blount, Jack Colletto and Aidan Willard have received roughly the same number of repetitions during practice.

Blount, a redshirt sophomore and former walk-on, has been the most consistent performer in my eyes. The 6-1, 204-pound Wisconsin native has a build similar to Washington quarterback Jake Browning (6-2, 210) and has displayed the best accuracy, awareness and decision-making of the group.

There is no doubt Luton has the prototypical NFL size (6-7, 230) and arm strength, but the senior can be erratic at times and does not seem to sense pressure as well as Blount. Luton also has had a surprising number of passes batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Colletto and Willard have had their moments, but Blount and Luton appear to be the front-runners to win the job. They are also the Beavers’ only quarterbacks with Pac-12 experience.

Defensive line depth

Oregon State is terrifyingly thin on the defensive line after Reichner’s injury.

Hodgins, Vakameilalo and Fifita have held their own during 11-on-11s, but depth remains a question. Redshirt freshman end Isaac Garcia has promise, and junior Elu Aydon has played in 22 career games.

Aydon, listed at 6-3 and 378 pounds, clearly needs to drop some weight and get into better shape. He has been a limited participant in practice.

Receiving threats

On the other end, Oregon State appears to be loaded with quality wide receivers.

Isaiah Hodgins, Trevon Bradford and Timmy Hernandez all have starting experience. Hodgins, a true sophomore, is a massive target (6-4, 208) with good hands and the ability to win 50-50 battles against defensive backs.

Taylor, Tino Allen and Aaron Short have also routinely made plays in practice and have shown good chemistry with the quarterbacks.

The cupboard is not totally bare

Coming off last year’s miserable 1-11 campaign, it is easy to forget how competitive the 2016 team was.

The Beavers finished 4-8 but had opportunities for wins against Minnesota, Utah, Washington State and UCLA. Oregon State’s only blowout losses came at Colorado and Washington.

Many current players were on the 2016 team and demonstrated the ability to play in the Pac-12. Outside expectations may be low, but Smith and staff do believe the 2018 Beavers can win right away.

Unfortunately, Oregon State must open the season against a team with national title aspirations. One can only hope Scott Barnes and future athletic directors will refrain from scheduling so-called “body-bag” games in return for cash.