Ryan Day and Xavier Johnson have seen a lot to like about Devin Brown in bowl practices. After serving as the backup to Kyle McCord this season, Brown is in line to get his first career start in a top-10 Cotton Bowl matchup.

Ohio State officially made the trip to Texas Saturday evening to complete their preparations leading up to next week’s big game. Day was understandably asked about his new starting quarterback, and the head coach raved about Brown’s charisma and leadership with the offense.

“I think the first thing you notice is command of the huddle, his command of the offense. I think he’s done a nice job of that. He has a charisma about him that I think the guys appreciate,” said Day. “He’s got a chance to extend plays with his feet, he’s got a strong arm. He’s very intelligent, he has a lot of skills, a lot of traits you look for in a QB.”

As for the game itself, Day says he just wants to see Brown go out and take care of the ball. If Brown does that, the offense has a good shot to capitalize with a win.

“Now he’s just got to go play the game. What are we looking for in the game? We’re looking for him to take care of the football and ultimately lead the team to a win,” explained Day. “So what a great opportunity for his first start to be in the Cotton Bowl.”

Johnson also took the chance to shout out his new QB and praised Brown’s maturity at the arrival press conference. Johnson said Brown handling the entire situation like a pro, even losing the original QB battle to McCord, made it easier to follow the QB into the Cotton Bowl.

“Like Coach Day said, I think he has a charisma, a confidence to him that he’s exuded even through the process when he and Kyle were battling. I think for somebody like myself to go out there and play with someone who’s a pro the whole time,” Johnson said. “He didn’t hang his head, he didn’t jump in the portal or do something. He stuck around the team and every day he was in Kyle’s ear, trying to figure out exactly what Kyle was seeing and just being a grown man about his business… I think that allows me to be confident in the player that Devin is and the personality that we’re going to have leading us on offense.”

(H/T Bucknuts)