Ohio State football avoided the transfer portal quarterback market because its coach was ‘fired up’
The transfer portal quarterback dominoes continue to fall, and Ohio State football is ready to stand back and watch.
Former Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy became the latest recruit to commit to Duke over the weekend. He joins a list of famous quarterbacks that includes Dequan Finn of Toledo (Baylor), Brock Vandagriff of Georgia (Kentucky), Dante Moore of UCLA (Oregon), Dillon Gabriel of Oklahoma (also Oregon), and Riley Leonard of Duke (Notre Dame).
Kyle McCord, a former Ohio State starter, also makes the list following his transfer commitment to Syracuse.His departure fueled concerns that coach Ryan Day might need to look into the quarterback portal for assistance.
So far, all of those highly acclaimed quarterbacks have found new homes without even visiting Columbus. Last week, Day stated that he has identified no prospects in the portal who would clearly upgrade above the current competition, which includes Devin Brown, who will start against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, true freshman Lincoln Kienholz, and incoming five-star prospect Air Noland.
“I think that competition is very, very healthy,” Day went on to say. “I think Lincoln has really come on and looked good.” We’re looking forward to seeing Air get up and running here in the spring.
“However, I’m excited to see how Devon has been practicing over the last few weeks.” It’s been fantastic for him now that he’s recovered. His ankle was feeling better, so it was like, “OK, take this thing and run, and see how he handles himself over the next couple of weeks.”
Day’s excitement for those guys may not be the only reason transfer quarterbacks have avoided the team.
We’ve already had one example of a quarterback with one year of eligibility remaining who left when he wasn’t guaranteed the starting spot in 2024 over those three in McCord. Day would have to make a similar concession to any starting-caliber quarterback who came in through the portal.
Day’s judgment after witnessing Brown in numerous bowl prep practices is the strongest predictor of OSU’s 2024 quarterback performance. As he prepares for his first career start — against a top-10 SEC club, no less — he has some say in whether Day decides to make this a four-man evaluation in the spring or stick with the choices he has.
