Buckeyes QB1: Kyle McCord Still 'Favorite' to Win Job?

The Ohio State Buckeyes do not have a starting quarterback named heading into summer workouts.

Where do things stand for the Ohio State Buckeyes at quarterback? With spring practice behind them, they head into summer workouts without a starting quarterback. 

Part of the reason for that is likely not being able to see the full picture during the spring, as sophomore Devin Brown was sidelined from the Scarlet and Gray spring game with a finger injury. This meant the coaching staff was left to evaluate Kyle McCord and Tristen Gebbia. With neither quarterback having a spectacular day, how much weight goes into that performance? 

Recently ESPN released an article detailing the quarterback competitions across the nation. Despite McCord's lackluster spring game, ESPN isn't ready to dethrone him as the "favorite" to replace C.J. Stroud. 

"Both quarterbacks shared first-team reps, but there wasn't enough separation to name a starter," ESPN writes. "Brown missed the spring game after undergoing a procedure on a finger on his throwing hand. In his absence, McCord had a rather pedestrian performance, completing 18-of-34 passes for 184 yards and one touchdown. Some of that was a product of a limited wide receivers group and inconsistent offensive line."

While the article cites that McCord has a leg up on Brown in the experience department, as he has been in the offense for three years. What will likely be a big factor in determining who will take the first snap at quarterback in the Buckeyes' season opener is what happened behind closed doors.

The Scarlet and Gray spring game wasn't the only scrimmage that Ohio State held this spring. It was the final scrimmage before heading into summer workouts, and the big difference was that it was televisioned with a live crowd. It is a valuable experience for those who don't have game experience. Yet for the quarterbacks, it may not carry as much weight as we saw with Justin Fields. Fields completed just four of his 13 passes in his spring game debut for the Buckeyes.

That didn't stop Fields from becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick and the starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

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