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Day’s search for Ohio State’s QB1 might not be close to being over
By Jeff Gilbert
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ryan Day didn’t name a starting quarterback Monday, and it might be a while before he settles on one.
Does it matter? Maybe, maybe not.
As Day apparently sees it, good recruiting has given him one of those problems that’s good to have.
“Our staff feels confident with both, which is exciting,” he said.
Somebody has to start. Either third-year Kyle McCord or second-year Devin Brown will start the Sept. 2 opener at Indiana. But that doesn’t mean either will be the clear QB1.
“Is there a chance that both of them can play in the first game? I think the answer is yes,” Day said. “We’re going to have a quarterback, and may have two. If they deserve to play, they’re going to play.”
McCord’s seniority means he would probably start in that scenario. Plus, he started and won against Akron as a true freshman when CJ Stroud was resting an injured shoulder.
“I can tell you that I am pleased with their progress, and our staff feels strong with both of them playing,” Day said.
If Day can’t decide on a clear starter by the opener, he has some wiggle room. Three games worth, in fact. The schedule opens Indiana — not expected to win much, if at all, in the Big Ten — followed by FCS Youngstown State and Western Kentucky.
The question: What can Day learn from those games? Both could play well, throw for lots of touchdowns and further enhance the confidence of their coaches and teammates. And neither might take a bigger step forward than the other.
Game 4 on Sept. 23 is at Notre Dame. Certainly, both could play. And, certainly, one could stumble in a way that’s costly to the Buckeyes. If Day is unable to make a decision, then any one of the first 4 opponents, especially Notre Dame, could make it for him.
That might not be a good thing. And, then again, it might not matter.
“There’s been situations in the past when we had two really good quarterbacks on the roster, and these things have a way of working themselves out,” Day said. “I met with the quarterbacks, and they agree there’s not one that’s that much further ahead.”
Both quarterbacks graded out as champions at Saturday’s closed intrasquad scrimmage to further muddy Day’s process. Day then conducted a straw poll with his coaches.
“I wanted to take a poll of the staff to see if maybe I’m not seeing this the right way, and it came back almost 50-50,” he said. “OK, so they see it the way I see it.”
So what is Day seeing in practice?
“First off in the run game, I think they have a pretty good handle on what we’re doing,” Day began. “In the passing game. they’ve done a nice job of making good decisions. They’re getting more and more comfortable being in the pocket and getting the timing of the passing game. That’s not something that just happens. Both of the guys are starting to really feel that rush and anticipate what’s going on.”
Day said the QBs are getting more reps than anybody else on the team. He put both of them in a 2-minute drive situation in Saturday’s scrimmage, and both led touchdown drives.
“Those are good signs when you’re seeing them play the game,” Day said. “You’re seeing them win third down in the red zone. That’s where you make your money as a quarterback. And we’re seeing some real improvement in those areas.”
What McCord and Brown are doing physically on the field is even, according to Day. He was asked: “If that continues and all things are equal on the field, then what?”
“You want the guy that has it,” Day said. “You want the guy that’s the leader, the guy that’s leading men into the end zone, that on third and long, or you’re backed up after a bad play, or down by a score, they rally the team, or can find a way to go dive in the end zone on fourth down.
“If all things are equal, we want the better leader, the better decision maker and, ultimately, the best competitor, because playing quarterback you’re just constantly competing.”