CORVALLIS -- Has a new name inserted himself into the
quarterback competition?
Not exactly, though Beavers offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin would not put it past Victor Bolden to be productive in that spot.
"He could line up at quarterback and just run with the ball," Baldwin said recently. "We could get him the ball that way."
Figuring out ways to get Bolden the ball has been on Baldwin's mind since he arrived in Corvallis in the winter. The speedy receiver has been a versatile weapon in the Beavers' offense for two seasons. And in this spread offense, those opportunities could increase.
"I can be plugged in at a lot of different spots," Bolden said. "I feel like I gotta be well-rounded and just be there for team."
Bolden said that, so far, his workload hasn't seen a dramatic increase compared to last season, when he tallied 72 catches for 798 yards and two touchdowns and added 118 rushing yards as the primary fly-sweep option.
But with the Beavers likely to sub receivers in waves in this up-tempo system, Bolden can play outside or in the slot. He'll still break into the backfield for handoffs, though what was the fly-sweep is now more of a stretch zone-read. Head coach Gary Andersen even suggested last week that Bolden could be an emergency option at running back -- and was not completely joking.
The overarching theme is all those roles get Bolden in space, where his speed and quick hips help him to excel in 1-on-1 matchups.
"It's an 'it' factor," Baldwin said. "When some guys have the ball, you know they have the chance to take it to the house. I'd rather go 60 yards with one carry than four yards and four yards and four yards."
Baldwin first knew Bolden was "special" while watching him at Los Osos High School in Racho Cucamonga, California. Those abilities were confirmed when Baldwin started diving into last season's film. And they were demonstrated live during the Beavers' spring game, when Bolden took a screen pass and streaked down the sideline for a 70-yard touchdown.
Bolden, a junior, said he's finally starting to feel like a veteran, even though that label was essentially pushed on him last season as a rare member of a young receiving corps with any game experience. Position coach Brent Brennan noted he's seen the quiet Bolden evolve as a leader, an intangible quality the coach is "leaning on him hard" to continue to show.
Those in attendance at OSU's open scrimmage Saturday did not get to see Bolden's multi-dimensional role in the Beavers' new-look offense, as he was held out for minor health reasons. But a practice earlier in the week -- when he took a bubble screen and rapidly darted up the field for about 50 yards -- truly exemplified Bolden's explosive potential.
Teammate Storm Barrs-Woods had a unique perspective on that play. The running back ran to his right and looked back, expecting to get the ball.
But by the time he turned his head, Bolden was already breaking free.
"Oh my goodness, the sky's the limit," Barrs-Woods said. "Victor's limitless."