Darell Garretson is transferring to Oregon State, the former Utah State quarterback told The Oregonian on Monday.

Garretson, who received his release papers from the Aggies in early April, plans to arrive in Corvallis this summer. After sitting out a year under NCAA transfer rules, he will have two seasons of eligibility beginning in 2016.

The 6-foot, 200-pound junior expects to walk on with hopes of eventually competing for a scholarship. His decision to join the Beavers came after the Aggies reportedly blocked his transfer to Washington, which hosts Utah State in September. Outside of the Huskies and OSU, Garretson said he received interest from multiple FCS programs.

"It doesn't matter," Garretson said of walking on. "I like the place too much. I actually went there on an unofficial (visit) going into my senior year of high school, and I really liked it then. I don't think it's changed too much."

Garretson spent the past two seasons working under Kevin McGiven, who was the Aggies' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach before joining OSU as quarterbacks coach in December. The former three-star recruit expects to pick up the Beavers' spread system relatively quickly because it is similar to the offense he ran at Utah State.

In 2014, he threw for 1,140 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions in five games after Aggies starter Chuckie Keeton was sidelined with nagging knee problems. Garretson missed the final seven games of the season with a wrist injury.

He also started seven games in place of an injured Keeton in 2013, when he helped Utah State close out the season 6-1 and beat Northern Illinois in the Poinsettia Bowl. He set an Aggies freshman passing record Nov. 2, 2013, with 370 yards in a win over Hawaii.

Garretson decided to move on shortly after the NCAA granted Keeton a medical hardship waiver to return for a fifth season of eligibility in 2015. At OSU, he hopes to prove he can compete in a Power Five conference.

"I wanted to take a step up," Garretson said.

His addition gives OSU four quarterbacks for practice this season, head coach Gary Andersen's ideal number. True freshman Seth Collins and redshirt freshman Nick Mitchell remain the top candidates for the 2015 starting job, though redshirt freshman Marcus McMaryion worked his way back into the conversation with a strong spring. Garretson should provide veteran experience in workouts, as well as a potential 2016 option should the starter struggle this year.

"Their pitch to me was honestly, 'If you want to compete and you want to play in the Pac-12 and try to further your career, this is a good spot,'" said Garretson, who is close childhood friends with Beavers offensive lineman Sean Harlow. "I appreciate the opportunity."

-- Connor Letourneau

cletourneau@oregonian.com

503-221-8168; @ConnOregonian