Oregon State running back Jam Griffin, right, breaks a run up the sideline against Oregon in 2022.

CORVALLIS — If you thought Damien Martinez’s departure would deliver a debilitating blow to the Oregon State Beavers’ backfield, running backs coach Thomas Ford has a message for you: Think again.

Ford, who spoke following Wednesday’s practice at Reser Stadium, says the Beavers are deep, talented and boast a pair of “really special” players at the top of the depth chart. Here’s a look at what else Ford had to say about his position group:

Thoughts on the Beavers running back room:

“We’re really deep, right? We have six guys on the roster and I feel comfortable playing any of those guys. I think all of them have a specific skill set. But when you really look at kind of our top two guys — Jam Griffin and Anthony Hankerson — those two dudes are really special. They’re all-purpose guys that can do everything we’re asking to do in the offense. Run it. They’re great in pass protection. They’re really good catching the ball out of the backfield and (when lined) up in the slot or outside at receiver. So I think those two guys’ versatility will really be critical for us as we move forward this season.”

What have you seen out of the freshmen (Salahadin Allah and Cornell Hatcher)?

“A lot of potential. Salahadin is a really fast guy — probably the fastest guy in the room. He’s had some explosive plays in the passing game. But make no mistake, he’s a very physical runner. And in the opportunities that he’s had in live competition, he’s done a good job breaking tackles. And then with Cornell, he’s more of your old school back, where he’s going to slash it, he’s going to get in your face, he’s going to get it downhill, square up on guys. Very physical, extremely smart. I think Cornell has done a really nice job of picking up the offense. He does some things naturally that I think are going to be special moving forward. But both those freshman kids are going to be really good players here with the Beaver program.”

Are you comfortable playing them on Saturdays?

“If Jam and Hank weren’t going. Those guys are the guys first. But I think both players certainly … I could feel comfortable with them in some situational football. Third down? Not really, right? Those guys aren’t quite there yet in pass protection. And I think that’s very, very similar in a lot of places anywhere in the country. Freshman running backs are good running it, but they don’t really have a great understanding of pass pro. So, yeah, they would not be in on third down if they had to play.”

Can Jam and Hankerson play together? Or is that just a rotation thing?

“Sure, we have some stuff on our offense to get both those guys on the field. So I definitely think that we’ll have some packages, given the week and what we’re seeing defensively. But there’s certainly ways we can have both those guys on the field. And they are certainly guys that are probably, definitely, somewhere in that top 11, right? So you want to try to play your best players at all times. And I could definitely see some scenarios where both those guys will be on the field the same time.”

What about (Jake) Reichle? How’s he been in camp?

“Jake is a phenomenal football player in general. He’s a four core, special teams guy for us. But at running back, he’s super physical. He’s really smart. He understands pass protection. If Jam and Hank were down, there’s no doubt whoever was in the game on first and second down, Jake Reichle would be in the game on third down. Because he understands exactly what we’re doing in pass protection. And then again, his running style is different. And I think that’s where his value will be in this group this year. He’s just different than everybody else, right? He’s a bigger guy. He’s 225 pounds, really runs behind his shoulder pads. And, again, he’s very, very intelligent. So he has a firm grasp of what we’re doing offensively.”

Do you think he might evolve into a fullback?

“There’s potential for some fullback-type stuff. He’s taken some reps doing that kind of stuff, and he’s done really well with the reps that he’s taken. But, for now, he’s really a tailback and a guy that I think could really do a good job getting those dirty yards for us, short yardage, goal line, four-minute situation like you saw today. He was the guy in there for a reason.”

How would you assess the running back room and where can it improve?

“To answer your first question, I really like the group. I think we are very deep. I think all the guys have specific skill sets that could help us on Saturdays. And in terms of just where they need to continue to grow, just continue to master the playbook, right, just understanding all the little, small details. We talk about that a lot in our room, being focused and being a master of the details. And, so, I think throughout fall camp, we really want to see those guys continue to get better, really mastering those details.”

Who’s the best pass blocker of the group?

“That’s a tough question. Probably Jam. Jam has been really, really good in pass protection … not just this fall, but in the spring. He’s taken that next step and not just understanding his responsibility, but being really physical at the point of attack on those blitz patterns. So I’d probably give the slight edge to Jam. But Hank and Jake Reichle are right there behind him.”