The first sign of Oregon State offseason movement showed Monday when quarterback Conor Blount announced that he will transfer from the school.

Blount, a sophomore, started six games this past season when Jake Luton was sidelined with a concussion and high ankle sprain.

Blount announced his intent to transfer on Twitter, and he indicated that he had been given a release by Oregon State.

“Throughout my past few years here it was been filled with many different challenges on and off the field,” Blount wrote.

“This past year has been the most difficult thing I’ve had to go through. This decision is by no means an easy one and has been something has weighed heavily on my mind for a while now.”

There was no immediate comment from Oregon State coach Jonathan Smith.

With Blount leaving, Oregon State has four quarterbacks on its roster in redshirt freshmen Aidan Willard, Tristan Gebbia and Nick Moore and sophomore Jack Colletto. Luton is a senior, though there is a possibility he could return for a sixth year should he follow through with a medical hardship waiver request with the NCAA.

— The Oregonian