CORVALLIS -- Marcus McMaryion delivered the news to Kevin McGiven Sunday morning.



First, McMaryion shared with his quarterbacks coach that he had decided to transfer from Oregon State three weeks before its season opener. Then, McMaryion asked for tips on how he could improve at his next destination.



That illustrates the type of player, person and teammate OSU is losing, McGiven said. Still, the Beavers will now press on with their current crop of quarterbacks, which includes three signal-callers who have taken snaps against Football Bowl Subdivision competition.



"Ultimately, at the end of the day, (he) made the decision that was best for him," McGiven said. "We're gonna support him and help him any way we can, obviously, in that process.



"We'll move forward. We've got to continue to try to get Jake (Luton) ready for Game 1."



McMaryion's decision to leave OSU comes less than a week after coach Gary Andersen officially named Luton, a junior college transfer, as the Beavers' 2017 starter. McMaryion split second-team reps with Darell Garretson during OSU's scrimmage in Bend Friday night.



"I want to thank the fans of Beaver Nation, the coaching and academic staff, and my teammates for a great three years," McMaryion said in a release. "As I close this chapter of my life as a graduate, the next chapter awaits. It has been a privilege representing this program on and off the field. For my OSU brothers on the field, remain 11 strong and have a great season."



McMaryion, a junior who will be immediately eligible for two seasons at an FBS school because he's already earned his undergraduate degree, slid up and down the depth chart throughout his time at OSU.



He started the final six games of the 2016 season -- including back-to-back victories over Arizona and rival Oregon to close the year -- after Garretson and backup Conor Blount went down with injuries, and totaled 1,286 passing yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also played in seven games in 2015 and started the Civil War, finishing the season with 403 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Last month, McMaryion was selected to the watch list for the Danny Weurffel Award, which honors a player's combination of on-field and community service work.



"Marcus has contributed much to our program on and off the field during his time here," Andersen said in a release. "We support him in his decision and wish him well as he continues his career on the field and in his studies."





Oregon State co-OC Kevin McGiven addressed the Marcus McMaryion transfer after tonight's practice. pic.twitter.com/6U0LY3eCjS — Danny Moran (@DannyJMoran) August 7, 2017



During the offseason, OSU signed Luton to compete immediately with McMaryion and Garretson for the starting job. Andersen also hired passing game coordinator/wide receivers coach Jason Phillips to implement some Air Raid concepts in an effort to dramatically improve a Beavers passing attack that was statistically one of the worst in the nation in each of the past two seasons.



After the quarterback derby stretched from spring practice through the first week of fall camp, Andersen announced Luton as the starter following Tuesday's practice in Bend. Andersen and McGiven both said Luton was the quarterback with the best physical skill set to run the OSU offense, and that an early decision was necessary for Luton and the Beavers receivers to build chemistry before their Aug. 26 opener at Colorado State.



With McMaryion's departure, Garretson will be Luton's backup, followed by Blount and true freshman Aidan Willard. McGiven said he's "not concerned one bit" about the thinned depth at the position, noting it's rare for a team to have a third-stringer on the roster who took meaningful game snaps the season before.



McMaryion, through his family, declined further comment to The Oregonian/OregonLive Sunday. Yet transfers are part of the current college football quarterback landscape, where only one player can start.



Since Andersen arrived as head coach following the 2014 season, Luke Del Rio and Nick Mitchell have also transferred out of the program, while Seth Collins moved from quarterback to wide receiver. Luton, meanwhile, transferred from Idaho to Ventura Community College before signing with OSU, while Garretson left Utah State to walk on at OSU before earning a scholarship.



"I've been there, and it was one of the toughest decisions I've ever made in my life," Luton said following Sunday's practice. "So I can imagine what he's going through. I love Marcus ... I wish him nothing but the best. When I get a chance to step away from the (football) building, I'll let him know that."



Other current and former Beavers showed their support for McMaryion on social media Sunday. Where he winds up next is currently unclear, but McGiven praised McMaryion's mentality throughout an up-and-down OSU career.



"He's the type of kid you want to coach," McGiven said. "Very invested in the program. He was awesome in that quarterback room and tried to better himself every single day."



-- Gina Mizell | @ginamizell