Ryan Day Weighs In On Buckeyes QB Battle Entering Fall Camp
Ryan Day has a tough decision on his hands entering his fifth season at Ohio State, and it likely won't conclude until the end of fall camp.
With C.J. Stroud hearing his name called by the Houston Texans second overall in the 2023 NFL draft, the Buckeyes start fresh at quarterback for the first time in two seasons. Unlike in years past, there's a sense of an open battle in Columbus, and Day plans to let the competition play out until either Kyle McCord or Devin Brown separate themselves in practice.
"I guess that last, now going on seven years, we've been in this situation quite a few times at Ohio State and just not knowing who the quarterback's going to be going into the season," Day said. "You had a new one with Dwayne [Haskins], you had a new one with Justin [Fields], you had a new one with C.J. and here we are again."
Day and the Buckeyes have been in this predicament before, but the sense internally was that the backup would eventually be penciled in as the starter. Haskins duked it out with Joe Burrow before earning the starting nod, but there was no hesitation to promote Fields to QB1 once Haskins was drafted by the now-Washington Commanders in 2019.
The same could be said for Stroud, who led Ohio State to a College Football Playoff appearance last fall and was named a Heisman finalist. This time, Day considers the competition "close" as Aug. 3's opening day of fall practice begins.
"Devin and Kyle, they both had very good summers, they both have shown leadership and (strength coach) Mick (Marotti) has really put them in positions to do that," said Day. "Now, it's time to put it on the field. We obviously would like someone to emerge quickly, but we will have to see when we get on the field."
Brown, the No. 5 quarterback prospect of the 2022 recruiting class according to On3, has barely seen the field since arriving on campus. He's a pocket passer by design, but might offer a tad more than McCord on run-designed plays if that's what new offensive coordinator Brain Hartline is looking to implement.
McCord, who graded out as On3's No. 5 pocket-passing QB in the 2021 cycle, has the reps. Once Stroud took over for Fields, McCord took over as QB, playing in 12 games over the previous two seasons. He also was high school teammates with Buckeyes' leading receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
In two years, McCord completed 72.9 percent of his throws for 606 yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions. He also started in place of the injured Stroud in a 59-7 win over Akron in 2021.
“The only thing that Kyle has the edge has been that he’s been here for another year,” Day said, “so he’s got more reps under his belt. I’m interested in seeing what these first couple of weeks look like.”
The hope is one of the passers takes control entering the final weeks of fall camp, but Day won't rule out a two-quarterback system early on to fortify the position before the season's midway point. Attention in the national spotlight is finding a replacement for the quarterback who threw for 81 touchdowns in two seasons.
For Day, his focus is on leaving Bloomington 1-0 once the fourth quarter ceases on Sept. 2.
"We gotta go win that first game on the road, so we're going to do everything we can and do what's right for Ohio State," said Day. "I'm excited to see these guys compete and go put it on the field."
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