Brian Hartline Weighs In On Ohio State's QB Battle

Devin Brown and Kyle McCord are doing their best to prove to offensive coordinator Brian Hartline their worth as QB1.

Brian Hartline isn't looking for the next C.J. Stroud, Justin Fields or Dwayne Haskins to come walking through his door as The Ohio State Buckeyes' next quarterback. He's looking for the first version of a new type of Buckeyes gunslinger. 

The first-year Ohio State offensive coordinator will be tasked with finding a suitable heir to Stroud entering what could be considered a pivotal 2023 campaign. Three quarterbacks are all vying for the title of QB1, though Kyle McCord and Devin Brown seem to be the front-runners a week into spring camp. 

"They're competing, and they're doing a hell of a job with it," Hartline said. "The ability for them to coach each other and hold each other accountable has been great to watch." 

McCord, the more experienced of the two, won't be guaranteed the starting job despite having more reps. For the past two years, the former Gatorade Player of the Year of Pennsylvania has backed up Stroud, often seeing mop-up duty in the fourth quarter of games. 

But Brown is no slouch, either. Former players raved about the Utah native's arm strength and decision-making skills in practice. And while Brown might not have live reps, his work in practice has pushed McCord to the limits, thus leading to better competition for the title. 

"Sometimes when you're competing, it's hard to be a good teammate. That's just the reality of it," Hartlin said. "But they're still being great teammates, and they're going out every day and trying to put their best foot forward."

Buckeyes coach Ryan Day likely won't announce a starter until August when fall camp begins. Even if McCord or Brown proves to be the best option, there's little-to-no reason for Day to rush the decision. Great programs also expect flawless competition, so naming a starter could lessen the level of play in practice.

One advantage McCord has over Brown is his connection with go-to No. 1 target Marvin Harrison Jr. The two were unstoppable at St. Joseph's Prep School in Philadelphia. Last season, Harrison took over as the face of the passing attack with Jaxon Smith-Njigba missing time due to a lingering hamstring injury. 

Harrison finished with 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also averaged 16.4 yards per catch and recorded 11 explosive plays. Before he was hauling in touchdowns from Stroud, McCord was his leading man. 

"They're both doing a great job of that," Hartline said. "Marvin, Emeka [Egbuka], Julian [Fleming], and Xavier [Johnson], all these guys are making plays regardless of who's throwing it. The growing of chemistry or the enhancement of any kind of chemistry will take shape over the next four weeks as we get back."

Hartline echoed a similar sentiment to that of Day. Both quarterbacks will see an equal amount of reps this spring that could carry over into the summer. Just because McCord finished ahead on the depth chart in 2022 doesn't mean Brown won't surpass him before the Week 1 matchup against Indiana. 

Day has yet to announce if Hartline will be the primary play-caller this fall, but the former pass-game coordinator is getting a test run to prove his worth during spring practice. Should that carry over into the regular season, Hartline said his offense would cater to the quarterback's strength. 

It'll also come down to the offensive personnel. Hartline said that football is a team sport, so while the quarterback has to elevate the pass-catchers, the same could be said for the other 10 players on the field in terms of getting higher play out of their passer. 

"It will take the mold of the best players that we have. That's what good coaches do," said Hartline. "Whoever wins that spot, we're going to make sure the offense fits the players. They are all elite."

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