'I'm Pumped': Ohio State Buckeyes QB Devin Brown Ready For Moment As Starter In Cotton Bowl
Most quarterbacks would be shaking in their cleats in preparation for their first start, but Devin Brown is cool on top of the surface.
Maybe it's because he knows regardless of what happens Friday night at AT&T Stadium against No. 9 Missouri, he'll still have a shot to start for Ohio State in 2024. Consider Friday more of a callback than an audition heading into the new season.
“I'm just so pumped to get out there and finally play,” Brown said during media sessions at the Cotton Bowl. “Even my family has been asking me, ‘How are you not nervous? Are you nervous?’ I had my family over when I was back in Arizona for the three days that we had (off), and I’m like, ‘Nah, I really don't feel anything.’ I've been playing tackle football since I was seven years old. It's just in (front) of a bigger crowd, that’s really it. It’s the same game.”
Ohio State Buckeyes Devin Brown walks the sidelines at Ohio Stadium
Perhaps the nerves set in once warmups begin. Maybe after the first drive, Brown will get a sense of the jitters if a play goes south.
Much rides on this game regarding Brown's status heading into next season. Should the No. 7 Buckeyes win and Brown dazzles, they'll feel content handing him the keys to the offense in place of Kyle McCord come spring.
Should they lose and Brown struggles, all bets are off. Ohio State has been quiet on the transfer portal front since McCord decided to leave and head to Syracuse, but a rocking outing in Arlington could lead to Ryan Day making some calls in the coming week.
Brown is confident he can hold his own against the Tigers' top-40 defense. His coaches and teammates feel he's more than poised to take over as QB1 after his success in practice leading up to kickoff.
“He's got a chance to extend plays with his feet. He's got a strong arm," said Day. "He's very intelligent. He has a lot of skills, a lot of traits that you look for in a quarterback. Now he's just got to go play the game.”
While Friday marks Brown's first start, it's not his first taste of action. OSU had designed plays where the second coming of Sammy Baugh would take the field for options and run-oriented personnel to pick up the first down and keep drives alive.
Brown's 19 carries would've likely doubled if not for an ankle injury suffered during the win over Penn State at Ohio Stadium, and later reaggravated it in warmups against Michigan State.
His ankle has been taped up in practice leading up to Friday's game, but he said it was for precautionary purposes. While sidelined, Brown spent time studying his old tape, making sure minor flaws that could lead to turnovers would be a thing of the past.
“Not being the starter, you don't get all the reps that you'd like to, especially with the (starters) and get that rhythm and connection with the guys that you'd like to, so having this whole month has been really good for me," said Brown.
After C.J. Stroud departed for the NFL, Day made it an open competition under center. Brown nearly won the starting job, splitting first-team reps with McCord and seeing action in the first two games before McCord took over full-time.
Day said even as QB2, Brown never treated practice like a backup and attacked each rep like he was running with the 1s. That caught the attention of several players once Brown took over following McCord's departure after the regular-season finale loss to Michigan.
“He was leading in his own way, he was finding a way to lead without stepping on Kyle’s toes," said senior receiver Xavier Johnson. "Since he’s had the ability to make that role his own he’s owned it. You’ve kind of seen him blossom, you’ve seen the confidence that got him to being a highly-touted quarterback out of high school, the playmaking that he did to earn that notice.”
Defensive players have also given Brown his flowers for his effort in practice.
“I'm really proud of Devin,” cornerback Denzel Burke said. “There are a lot of things I was not expecting that he showed me. He's really bringing the team together – a lot of leadership tactics and a lot of things we didn't see (before). I'm really excited to see what he can do.”
The path to AT&T Stadium has been a roller coaster for the Buckeyes. Heading into the season, OSU planned on punching its ticket to the College Football Playoff. A loss in Week 13 has the Buckeyes settling for a potential 12-win season instead.
Brown's performance could signify hope heading into a pivotal year in the Day era. There's two up-and-comers waiting in the wings for next season. Several transfer passers are looking for their next destination.
Day will evaluate everything once back in Columbus. For now, the season — and maybe the future — rests in the hands of Brown.
"He's our quarterback and we're moving forward," said Day. "This is a great opportunity for him to go build more confidence with the guys around him as we head into next season.”
