Buckeyes Now

Ryan Day Confirms Devin Brown Will Start for Ohio State vs. Missouri

Sophomore Devin Brown will get the start in the Cotton Bowl for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Matt Galatzan

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The question about who the Ohio State Buckeyes starting quarterback in the Cotton Bowl vs. the Missouri Tigers has finally been made official.

During a radio appearance on 97.1 the Fan in Columbus, Day officially revealed his intention to start Devin Brown, putting an end to what little mystery there was of who would get the nod. 

“This is a great opportunity for Devin to take over this team and run with it," Day said. "I know he's very, very excited about that."

During the Tuesday media availability, Brown had already let slip that he will be under center as the Buckeyes’ starter vs. Missouri, taking over for former starter Kyle McCord who recently entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

"I'm excited to go play and finally show what I can do and have fun with this team," Brown said. "I can't believe my first start is going to be in the Cotton Bowl."

Brown, who competed with McCord for the starting job during fall camp, has played in five games, completing 12 of 22 passes for 197 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

Devin Brown
Devin Brown / USA Today Sports

Despite losing the starting job, Ohio State built several packages, including one in the red zone, to provide a second element to the offense and take advantage of Brown's mobility. As a result, Brown rushed for 35 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries.

Brown was injured earlier in the year while attempting a run near the goal line vs. Penn State in October and has not played since. 

The former five-star recruit in the class of 2022 spent his freshman year sitting behind Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and McCord, handling a 1-yard carry against Toledo.

The Gilbert, Arizona, native is now technically the third new starting quarterback Day will have named in his tenure as head coach.

In all likelihood, Brown will be thrown into another competition for the starting job this spring, with Lincoln Keinholz, the incoming Air Noland, and perhaps a transfer addition via the portal.

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Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com, AllAggies.com, and the Managing Editor of BuckeyesNow.com and TheGroveReport.com He is also the Editor-In-Chief of RamDigest.com and TexansDaily.com. Galatzan graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry under Mike Fisher at DallasBasketball.com in 2014, which at the time was part of the 247Sports network. He also spent two years covering the SMU Mustangs for PonyStampede.com on the 247Sports network. When DallasBasketball.com and CowboysCountry.com moved over to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, Galatzan followed suit, eventually being taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of LonghornsCountry.com and AllAggies.com a year later. Through the years, Galatzan has conducted a handful of high-profile one-on-one interviews to add to his resume — in both writing and podcasting. Some of his biggest interviews have been with Mavs owner Mark Cuban, former Longhorns players Dan Neil and Phil Dawson, and many other recruits, and current/former players for each of the teams he has covered. Galatzan is also a full-time employee in the digital media department for Audacy and KRLD FM's 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, which is the official radio home of the Dallas Cowboys. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan For any inquiries, please email matt.galatzan@gmail.com

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