QB gets a chance to show he can be No. 1 for Ohio State

Devin Brown owes his first career start at quarterback for Ohio State to the transfer portal, which came against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.

Brown, who had been the backup this season, was promoted to starter by attrition after Kyle McCord decided to transfer. Brown now has the opportunity to prove coach Ryan Day that it should have been him all along.

McCord, the third-year player who overcame Brown in a preseason battle for the starting job, entered the portal earlier this month while still being vilified on social media as a scapegoat for Ohio State’s loss to Michigan. On December 17, McCord announced his signing with Syracuse.

That means Brown will get an early look as the No. 7 Buckeyes (11-1) take on No. 9 Missouri (10-2) in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night.

“I mean, it’s going to be a coming out party, and it’s a good opportunity for me to show what I can do in this game,” Brown was quoted as saying. Regardless of how he performs in the bowl game, the 20-year-old from Arizona has stated that he has no intention of transferring.

Brown, in his second year at Ohio State, saw limited action this season. He was last seen on Oct. 21, when he entered as the ball-carrier in a goal-line package against Penn State and left with a sprained right ankle.

In spring practice, Brown will play Lincoln Kienholz, one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2023 class, and five-star prospect Air Noland, a left-hander from Georgia, who was one of Day’s 2024 recruiting class prizes.

Day can also look for a more experienced quarterback through the transfer site.

“Devin was real close going into the season, so this is going to be an awesome opportunity for him to take it and run,” he added. “I’m looking forward to seeing that. Lincoln and Air are two other great young men that want to play.”

Running back Chip Trayanum (left for Kentucky) and receiver Julian Fleming, who was overshadowed by All-American wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. and NFL prospect Emeka Egbuka, were also prominent players among the 14 Buckeyes that entered the portal.

When McCord announced his transfer on December 4, several of his teammates, including Brown, were taken aback.

McCord had a tremendous year by most quarterbacks’ standards, passing for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns. However, two of his six interceptions occurred in Michigan’s 30-24 loss, including his final ball with under a minute left as Ohio State was driving to tie the game.

In Columbus, losing to Michigan is virtually inexcusable. Ask C.J. Stroud, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist who is now an NFL standout. He was the victim of two Michigan blowouts.

If the regular sideline conversations between a bashful McCord and the pumped-up head coach over the season were any clue, there were problems before the Michigan game.

“I really felt bad for him,” said McCord’s pal, Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer. “And I don’t believe it was fair.” I realize that the quarterback is expected to win games at Ohio State. And I don’t believe it was his responsibility that we lost at Ann Arbor.”

Brown saw it, too.

“Kyle went through a lot,” Brown said. “And I feel for the guy. There were a lot of tough moments.”

Day refused to discuss the circumstances of McCord’s departure during a news conference last Wednesday, stating, “I don’t think it serves anybody any good.”

When asked if Harrison and TreVeyon Henderson will participate in the bowl game, Day answered, “They’ve been out there” at practice.

Both Harrison, a two-time unanimous All-American and Heisman Trophy nominee, and Henderson, the running leader, are likely to enter the NFL draft, though neither has made a declaration.

Brown is ready to show himself regardless of who is on the field for Ohio State.

“All year I’ve always prepared like I was the starter,” he told reporters. “So, nothing to look over my shoulder for or anything.” “I just want to go out and have fun while playing my game.”