Oregon State tailback reportedly enters transfer portal ahead of fall camp
Oregon State opens fall camp on Thursday. Ahead of its start, the running back room has taken a hit to its depth.
According to BeaversEdge’s Brenden Slaughter, fifth-year junior tailback Jam Griffin has entered the transfer portal. Griffin will be a graduate transfer with two years of eligibility remaining.
He spent three seasons at Georgia Tech before joining the Beavers prior to the 2022 campaign. Last fall, he ran for 488 yards and four scores while averaging 5.7 yards per carry. He also brought in four receptions for 25 yards.
It was a significant role upgrade for Griffin, who was buried on the depth chart at Georgia Tech before his exit. Griffin had 86 carries just last season. He had 91 rushing attempts for 377 yards and two touchdowns in his three years with the Yellow Jackets.
But he once again found himself looking up on the depth chart at Oregon State. Damien Martinez is the unquestioned lead back. Deshaun Fenwick and Isaiah Newell will back him up.
Griffin’s departure does, however, leave Oregon State with just those three in terms of scholarship runners. Junior Dyontae Navarrete, redshirt sophomore Gavin Haines, and redshirt freshman Jake Reichle are also on the roster as walk-ons.
Martinez went for 982 yards during his true freshman campaign last fall. Fenwick added 553. Newell stands to see an uptick in snaps after logging 16 carries for 87 yards and two scores last season.