Ryan Day's quarterback rotation leaves Ohio State fans baffled about strategy
There's not too much to complain about when reviewing Ohio State's 49-14 win against Marshall. But Ohio State fans universally came away wondering about one of head coach Ryan Day's strategies as the game progressed. The backup quarterback rotation has fans and analysts scratching their heads. While Will Howard has the starting job locked down, […]
There's not too much to complain about when reviewing Ohio State's 49-14 win against Marshall. But Ohio State fans universally came away wondering about one of head coach Ryan Day's strategies as the game progressed.
The backup quarterback rotation has fans and analysts scratching their heads. While Will Howard has the starting job locked down, the Buckeyes again opted to play Devin Brown over 5-star freshman Julian Sayin.
Inside the Buckeyes Quarterback Situation
Brown, a third-year sophomore who has lost two starting quarterback battles over the last two years, has thrown only 42 passes in his career. He was first off the bench in Week 4 as Ohio State took a commanding lead. Howard completed 16-of-20 attempts for 275 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
But the senior won't be in Columbus beyond 2024, so the next generation can start developing before it's showtime in 2025. Naturally, everyone expects Sayin to be the choice, which would give the former Alabama commit two seasons to start before 2026 top QB Tavien St. Clair takes over.
However, it's hard to plan on giving the starting job to someone with only two attempts on the season. The Buckeyes' schedule ramps up soon as Big Ten play begins next week in East Lansing. Then, the Buckeyes face Iowa to start October.
Brown, who completed only two of six throws for 14 yards against Marshall, just doesn't look like a Power 5 quarterback. Known best for his athleticism and traits over anything, he's well behind the developmental curve for someone entering his fourth season on campus next year. The Buckeyes are wasting their time if he can't sufficiently spell Howard in the case of an injury.
Fans like this have a good point. Day has struggled to get young players on the field to see live reps in years past, so now is the time for freshmen and tomorrow's stars to have the chance to undergo on-the-job training.
It's hard to see a real future for Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and even Air Noland on the roster in the coming years. I like Noland, but Brown and Kienholz aren't good enough quarterbacks for the Buckeyes.
