Ryan Day details plan for Kyle McCord, backup quarterbacks

On3 imageby:James Fletcher III03/09/22

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With CJ Stroud establishing himself as one of college football’s top quarterbacks last season and the transfer portal departures of Quinn Ewers and Jack Miller, the backup quarterback discussion looks different at Ohio State. The Buckeyes face a unique situation with just three quarterbacks on the roster entering spring practice.

Following a spring practice on Tuesday, head coach Ryan Day addressed the backup quarterback situation and returning sophomore Kyle McCord.

“I was impressed with how Kyle came in today, I thought he had a good 7-on-7,” said Day. “He had a good approach and kind of picked up from where he left off in the Rose Bowl practice which was great. And then Devin, first day out here, again I thought he handled it pretty good as well. For first day, there’s a lot going on that first day. You’re doing everything for the first time. So the more reps that we can get these guys, the better they’re going to be.”

A key point entering the 2021 season was the lack of on-field experience following the departure of Justin Fields. That narrative has shifted now with the reps Kyle McCord was able to get as Ohio State’s backup quarterback last season.

“We haven’t had that, we haven’t had a starter who had any experience going into last year,” Day said while laughing. “To have somebody who’s actually been on the field and played in games and has a whole year under his belt, that’s a big deal. You can’t substitute experience. And just being through it for a whole year should pay dividends and that should be something that we can use to our advantage.

“I think Kyle’s had a good offseason so if he can continue to grow as the spring goes on, that’s huge for us.”

More about Ohio State’s backup quarterbacks

Ohio State brings three quarterbacks into spring practice, including starter CJ Stroud, returning backup Kyle McCord and five-star freshman Devin Brown. Following the offseason departures, the Buckeyes now move forward with this group and hope to build depth behind the starting lineup.

Kyle McCord is a former five-star recruit ranked No. 22 in the country by the On3 Consensus in 2021. As the No. 4 quarterback in the class, he chose Ohio State over Texas A&M, Michigan and others. Devin Brown is also a five-star recruit in the On3 Consensus for 2022. However, the incoming freshman ranks as the No. 1 player in the country in On3’s rankings.