CORVALLIS — The Oregon State Beavers held their first practice of the 2024 college football season Wednesday at Prothro Field, going through a roughly 100-minute workout in helmets and no pads. First-year head coach Trent Bray spoke to reporters after the workout, discussing the battle for the starting quarterback job, team leaders, why he’s bullish on this year’s team and more.

Here’s a transcript of his interview:

Did he like what he saw out of the first practice?

“For the first practice, yeah. Got a lot of work with the young guys, especially at the end, the last bunch of plays there. The effort was good, the energy was good. But, like always, a lot of cleanup on that first day.”

Is there anything left to say at this point about quarterback Ben Gulbranson?

“Nothing. We know who he is. He’s great leader, a great teammate. He just does everything you ask. So looking forward to seeing how he continues to progress.”

“What will you be looking for in the quarterback competition? How will the starter separate himself?

“It’s really going to be the consistency of running the offense and making good decisions. Who can do that on a day-in and day-out basis is what we’re really looking for.”

What impressed you the most from spring to now with gains made by players in the offseason?

“There were quite a bit of gains across the board from a physical standpoint. And then I was really impressed with how they came together over the summer, their interaction, especially (considering) a lot of those guys just met each other in December. So I was very impressed with how the team’s kind of come together so far.”

Have any guys in particular led the charge on that front?

“I mean, obviously … Ben’s one. Darrius Clemons was one (of) the new guys that’s leading. (Anthony Hankerson) is another new guy that’s leading. You’ve got Joshua Gray, who’s been here for a while. Jaden Robinson. Skyler Thomas. Those would probably be the ones that hit my brain right away.”

Favorite part of the defense?

“Just going out there and then the chess game for me. How they align, the motions, the shifts, covering that down, and then then the actual act of getting off and getting after somebody.”

What position battles are you most looking forward to watching?

“All of them. “There’s not a position (besides) maybe corner and guard, with Josh (Gray), that are set. Everything’s a battle, which is exciting.”

On new defensive coordinator Keith Hayward and how they will split up game-planning and calling the defense:

“It starts with, it’s Keith, right? And then we work together and talk through things and make sure that it still is under that umbrella of what I want it to look like. But Keith is running it from a day-in, day-out (perspective), putting his spin on it. Like I said … in the spring, I think it’s going to help us improve the defense. So I’m looking forward to that.”

What does Clemons bring and what do you envision his role?

“From a teammate standpoint, he’s just a natural leader. He just brings that. The football part has yet to be seen, because he’s only practiced today. He didn’t practice all spring. But from a leadership standpoint, his work ethic, how much he studies — he’s always in the building — he brings a ton.”

Is there anything that Gray still needs to work on?

“He played tackle mostly for us and he wants to move inside, especially for the opportunity at the next level. So he’ll play guard (and) center for us and work that to make .. him more valuable at that next level. But he’s going to kind of be learning a lot of new things about the inside position as we go through fall camp.”

How has that transition been for him?

“Oh, it’ll be easy for him. (Former OSU offensive line) coach (Jim) Michalczik did a great job all the time of teaching all those guys all five spots. Coach (Kyle) DeVan does the same thing. So that transition is not that tough. But it’ll take a little work of physically doing it.”

How would you assess the wide receiver room? What do you like about what that group brings?

“I like their length and their speed. I think it’s as long as we’ve ever been in there and probably as fast, from a from a whole group standpoint. So I’m excited about it. I think there’s a lot of guys that can play and I think it’s going to be another position group that’s going to have a big time battle to get reps.”

Who is the fastest guy?

(laughs) “I couldn’t tell you. I have no idea. We don’t race them.”

Does it feel any different being out here without the Pac-12?

“No, not at all. I mean (in the) offseason it does, because you’re just hearing so much about it. But the actual football part and going in and winning games, it has no bearing on it.”

What was your biggest takeaway from Las Vegas and what Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould said?

“I like what she said and we’ve talked a number of times. I like what her plan is and the direction that that she wants to take this thing. All we can control is winning. And if we win and we’re successful, then we’re going to be valuable to whenever that shakes up again.”

You’ve been really bullish on this team and its chances to compete for spot in the CFP. Why are you so confident?

“I think the physical talent is here,” Bray said. “From a size, strength, speed standpoint, it’s here. We can win the games we need to win with the talent we have here. Now it’s just going to be (about) how fast can we come together, how fast can those guys play. Because that’s been one thing we’ve done a great job of the last couple years; our guys play fast and they play physical. So in order to do that, you’ve got to be confident, know what you’re doing. That’s the part that’s going to take some work, and it’s going to be the biggest part in our success.”

On Gerad Christian-Lichtenhan and his experience:

“You’ve got another guy that has started multiple years in the Pac 12. I mean, those guys are just valuable. They’ve got experience and they’ve done it and they’ve done it against elite talent.”

On Thomas Collins:

“I think he’ll be very similar to what (Isaac) Hodgins was a year ago. He’s got that that twitchiness, that athleticism inside, which I think can give inside guy’s trouble, especially in pass protection.”

How does Jeremiah Noga, who’s had to fight for everything to get to this point, fit into the wide receiver group?

“He’s continuing to do that. I think he’s right in that mix and he’s going to battle to be a starter. And so that’s what he’s doing on a day-in and day-out basis.”

You’ve had some notable verbal commitments in future signing classes. What does that say about the program considering everything you’ve been through?

“I think it’s a testament to our coaches and the work that they put in, the relationships that they’ve built. But also, like, when guys really look at this place and what it has here and the opportunity that’s here and what Oregon State can provide them, they’re seeing what it can. The conference thing is not something that they’re necessarily worried about. Because, again, the message we’re selling and what we truly believe is, you win and things take care of themselves.”

How feeling about where the front seven is at?

“I’ll let you know when we put pads on. But I liked the work that they did. Again, … on paper, it looks good. the height, the weight, their athletic ability, what they did in the weight room. Now it’s applying it to football.”

There’s so much newness around here. Is there a way to sum up what it’s like stepping on the field for the first practice after an offseason of great transition?

“It’s nice. It’s nice to finally get out here. With all the talk and everything that’s kind of going on off the field, it’s good to finally get back to football and what’s important, which is ball and getting these guys ready to be successful.”

How important is it to maintain the intensity and rivalry with the Oregon-Oregon State football game?

“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem, to be honest with you. What it always was, was two teams that are close together. The fan bases grew up in their respective towns and in the state of Oregon, so it’s always going to be an intense rivalry.”

— Joe Freeman | jfreeman@oregonian.com | 503-294-5183 | @BlazerFreeman | Subscribe to The Oregonian/OregonLive newsletters and podcasts for the latest news and top stories