Oregon State's New Starting QB Relishes Underdog Status

Braden Atkinson, a transfer from Mercer, was named Oregon State's starting quarterback for 2026. He spoke about his overlooked high school career and his strong bond with offensive coordinator Mitch Dahlen, who had scouted him while at Alabama. Atkinson credits his grit and the coaching staff's enthusiasm for his rapid ascent.

Atkinson's path to Corvallis was unconventional. Despite throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 53 touchdowns as a high school senior in North Carolina, he drew little recruiting interest and landed at Mercer, an FCS program. His play there, including a strong first-half performance against Auburn that caught the eye of Alabama staffer Mitch Dahlen, helped elevate his profile.

At Oregon State, Atkinson has quickly built rapport with new teammates. He's connected with Alabama transfer Bubba Hampton on deep passes and praised his tight end group, including DeCorion Temple and Eric Olsen, for their explosiveness. He cites his family's sacrifices as his primary motivation and embraces doubters who question his physical tools.