In Ryan Day‘s first season at the helm, he did not have much of a decision to make. Justin Fields transferred in from Georgia and immediately took the starting job. Then, prior to the 2021 season, there was a question of who will replace him. CJ Stroud stepped up and only threw it everywhere and was selected second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. This year? There’s a legitimate Ohio State quarterback battle brewing in 2023.
For 2023, it’s Kyle McCord vs Devin Brown. Sure, Grad transfer Tristian Gebbia or incoming true freshman Lincoln Klenholz could surprise, but it’s a two-horse race.
Of course, both McCord and Brown have their strengths and weaknesses. Thankfully for both as well as Ohio State, they’ll have a wealth of weapons to play with. Needless to say, no matter who wins this battle, they are more than likely going to put up numbers.
The Ohio State faithful have begun to take sides. Most are on Team McCord, but what does Brown bring to the table?
The Case for Devin Brown to Be QB1
First off, it may not have any standing on his ability to be the Ohio State quarterback, but there is one thing that truly separates Brown and McCord: Brown switched to the number 33! Seriously, imagine a college quarterback slinging it around in a 33 jersey. If you’re a fan of seeing something odd and new, you should root for Brown for that reason alone.
The Possibility of Longevity
Let’s get the criteria that really shouldn’t have much bearing on the Ohio State quarterback battle out of the way. McCord is a true junior with two years of eligibility remaining. Brown is a redshirt freshman with four years remaining. Will either quarterback play out their eligibility? If they’re as good as advertised, no.
So then, the question becomes, how long until they have NFL Draft eligibility? McCord could be one-and-done, Brown would still have two years.
When deciding upon who the starter should be, coaches likely don’t consider either the remaining eligibility or the incoming recruits. The Buckeyes have commitments from three top quarterbacks across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 cycles. Even that should not discourage Day from selecting Brown if he ends up winning the job.
In his time as head coach, Day has had a pair of quarterbacks go two years as a starter. Fields was a true sophomore and Stroud was a redshirt freshman. Each decided to forgo their remaining eligibility in order to go to the NFL. McCord has been in the program for two years already. However, there is a very real possibility that he plays well enough to get legitimate NFL hype. Thus, Day and the Buckeyes are back in the same situation next spring, potentially deciding between Brown, Klenholz, Air Noland, and/or whoever transfers in.
One thing is for certain, the Buckeyes need to have a decision made by their Notre Dame matchup. Ohio State cannot go through 2023 as they did in 2015 with no real, unquestioned starter. Giving Brown the reigns guarantees that the Buckeyes will have stability for at least two years.
Give ’em the ole Razzle Dazzle
Both McCord and Brown have what it takes to be the next Ohio State quarterback. Where McCord may have the edge in spending an extra year in the program, Brown has one aspect to his game that could elevate him: mobility. Of course, that’s not to say McCord moves like Peyton Manning and Brown is Michael Vick, but Brown has a bit more oomph to his athletic ability than McCord.
In his limited time in the program, Brown has shown the ability to work off-script and make plays (in practice, of course) outside the pocket. Day has noted that, in terms of arm strength, intelligence, and ability to figure out defenses, Brown has similar traits to McCord. In the short time he’s been in the program, Brown has learned the offense quickly and has been impressing coaches. Day finishes his quote by highlighting the fact that Brown is a very good athlete who can move and change direction well.
Since the turn of the century, mobile quarterbacks — or, at the very least, quarterbacks with the ability to move a little — have dominated the offense. When it comes to Day’s quarterbacks, he’s had Fields and Stroud. Fields was able to hit every pass needed and had plus rushing ability that he’s leaned on in his time in the NFL. Stroud, on the other hand, did not run the ball for the majority of his time on campus. Even then, Stroud had the athletic ability to make plays with his legs, as we saw in the Peach Bowl.
If you want a superficial comparison, Brown would be more Fields, McCord is Stroud. Of course, that’s very superficial because the latter were both incredibly prolific and both McCord and Brown are projections at this point.
Regardless, the point remains, players don’t stumble upon 8,000+ yard, 85-touchdown careers in high school and Brown has what it takes to take over.
Take Advantage of Unseized Opportunities
As of now, McCord has overwhelming odds to be the Ohio State quarterback. There are plenty of reasons why but the biggest reason could be that we could have a Dwyane Haskins/Joe Burrow situation due to the fact Brown had an injury and could not participate in the spring.
McCord had a chance of a lifetime to dominate the Spring Game with Brown out. In reality, McCord finished 18-for-34 with 184 yards and a touchdown. In a game that was, oddly enough, dominated by the Buckeyes’ defense, McCord did not solidify himself as QB1 that day.
With fall camp right around the corner, Brown still has a legitimate shot at becoming the next Ohio State quarterback to lead the team against Indiana.
The best thing about Brown having to battle it out with McCord is that even if McCord gets most of the first-team reps, Brown will have plenty of talent to whom he can spread the wealth. The Buckeyes have an embarrassment of riches at wide receiver and if Brown can make Carnell Tate look like he’s about to break through, perhaps it gives him a slight edge.
Despite the fact that quarterbacks are not going to be tackled in practice, many Buckeye fans look forward to what each quarterback will do when faced with J.T. Tuimolaou or Jack Sawyer coming off the edge. If Brown looks more dynamic in that area, this race could be even tighter.
What Can [Devin] Brown Do For You?
The Buckeyes have a real conundrum on their hands. Both quarterbacks have the ability to lead the Ohio State offense and look good doing it. And, realistically, either quarterback could lead the Buckeyes to nine or 10 wins without breaking a sweat because of the talent around them and the apparent weakness of the schedule…aside from CFP hopefuls Notre Dame, Penn State, and Michigan, of course.
Realistically, there’s a good chance this battle spills into the season. It would not be surprising if Day allowed both quarterbacks to make their own mark by playing in the initial game against Indiana. Then, whoever has the lead could be called upon to take most of the snaps against Youngstown State and Western Kentucky.
Regardless, this Ohio State quarterback battle needs to be decided before the Buckeyes suit up against Notre Dame on September 23rd.
If Day wants a more mobile quarterback with more time left, Brown will be the answer and the Buckeyes will have the unconventional 33 taking snaps full time.
Photo courtesy: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
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