Coach speak or legitimate competition? Ryan Day is playing Ohio State's QB situation close to the vest
Of all the questions we could’ve asked about Ohio State during fall camp, nobody would’ve guessed “who’s the starting quarterback?” would’ve been one of them. That was one we thought already had an answer.
Justin Fields was, still is, expected to be the guy under center when the Buckeyes trot onto the field for their season opener against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 31. That’s been the belief since the former five-star Georgia quarterback decided to leave Athens for Columbus.
Even when former Gunnar Hoak, an Ohio native and former Kentucky quarterback, decided to transfer to Ohio State, not many thought he’d challenge for the starting job. His role was to be second-in-command, a nice backup option in case something happened with Fields.
So it is a little surprising that Ryan Day hasn’t named Fields the starter yet. When the first-year head coach is asked about what the battle looks like through the first week of camp, he responds by saying there isn’t much separation.
“I thought after today I’d have a better feel. I didn’t,” Day said Saturday, according to Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors. “Nobody went out there and won the job, for sure.”
Sports Betting in Big Ten Country
Ohio sports betting apps are officially launching on January 1, 2023.
Pre-registration is now available at FanDuel Ohio for an extra $100 bonus. Go pre-register now.
21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Coach speak? Or is there a legitimate quarterback battle happening between Fields and Hoak? You can believe what you’d like, but the bottom line is that the situation in Columbus is still a bit of a mystery.
Day could very well know that Fields is the guy who will take the first snap in a few weeks. His comments could be a ploy to keep the battle competitive between Fields and Hoak, not allowing either player to let up in the slightest as the Buckeyes pursue their third straight B1G title.
Would you blame him if that’s the approach he’s adopted? He wouldn’t be the first head coach to do that.
Or, is there a chance that Hoak is giving Fields a run for his money? After all, he is a pro-style quarterback with a similar skillset to what Dwayne Haskins possessed, though he’s not on that level at this point in his career. He’s got a quick release and an accurate arm, no doubt a benefit for the offense Ohio State will run moving forward.
RELATED: Ryan Day updates status for WR Austin Mack
That’s not to say Fields doesn’t have a strong, accurate arm. He does. At the same time, his abilities as a dual-threat quarterback fit what Meyer liked to do a lot more, especially with a mobile guy running the show. Fields was a little more patient with the football last year at Georgia, knowing he could tuck it and run if he necessary.
The clash in styles may be making the decision harder for Day than he initially thought, and why he’s still hesitant to pull the trigger on one so early. It’s just a thought.
It’s an interesting situation in Columbus, at least how it’s being presented publicly. The Buckeyes have several question marks at various position groups across the field. Quarterback wasn’t supposed to be one of them.
Maybe it isn’t. But Day sure likes to play things close to the vest if he really has already made a decision between Fields and Hoak.