JaMarcus Shephard takes over a program that won two games in 2025, and his first roster build leans on continuity at the most important position while reshuffling almost everything around it. Maalik Murphy returns as the starter, which counts for something given the churn elsewhere — 35 players left via the portal, led by receivers Trent Walker, David Wells Jr., and Jamai East, who combined for real offensive production a year ago. The incoming portal class, headlined by running back AJ Newberry from Vanderbilt and quarterback Brady Jones from Western Michigan, doesn't obviously replace what left. The offensive line is also being rebuilt from scratch, and target share behind Walker and Wells is almost entirely unclaimed, which is the kind of structural uncertainty that shows up before it shows up on tape. The defense, by contrast, returns with more shape intact and no major role losses flagged, giving Shephard a foundation to lean on while the offense sorts itself out under a below-average overall profile that touches every phase, including special teams.

JP+ projects 4.6 wins, a number that reflects a offense still finding its identity and a defense that has to carry more than its share early. The schedule doesn't do Oregon State many favors — road trips to Houston and Boise State and a home date with Texas Tech stand out as the toughest tests — but Utah State at home, UTEP on the road, and Montana at home offer a path to building some early confidence. If the offensive line reset stabilizes faster than expected and Murphy finds a reliable set of targets, this team can hover near bowl-eligibility range. If the trench rebuild lags and the receiver room stays thin, 2026 looks like another season defined by the defense keeping games close and the offense searching for answers.