'Excited': Ryan Day Reveals Kyle McCord, Devin Brown's Reactions To QB Decision
The Ohio State Buckeyes are rolling with Kyle McCord as their full-time starting quarterback.
Head coach Ryan Day has said he was up front, honest and in constant communication with the quarterbacks throughout the entire process of the battle so nothing would come as a shock. When McCord earned the starting job, Day said it was "more of a confirmation" for him after a three-touchdown performance against Youngstown State.
“Kyle is not someone who shows a ton of emotion all the time," Day said. "He was excited, but he wasn’t exactly jumping on the table."
Day has said McCord is more even-keeled in his leadership and demeanor than who he beat out in the quarterback battle, Devin Brown, who's more vocal and outspoken.
Brown said after the Buckeyes' home-opener that he's "always going to think I'm the guy," but that his focus is to "go out there and help this team win" when he's needed.
Last year, McCord emphasized the "next-man-up" mentality in staying focused in his preparation to be ready if anything were to happen to former quarterback C.J. Stroud. Day said Monday that's important in Brown's case, pointing to New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers' Achilles tear that ended his season against the Buffalo Bills which thrust Zach Wilson into the starting role.
“Devin’s a great competitor. He wants it really bad. He knows that he’s one play away, and he was great,” Day said. “At the same time, he’s got to get back to work this week and get better in the areas he needs to improve on.”
Day said McCord's "poise and consistency" outweighed that of Brown's, which the Buckeyes' head coach said is due, in part, to his lack of in-game experience. Day said Brown's "talent is certainly there."
McCord's first start of 2023 knowing he doesn't have to worry about when he's coming out and when Brown is going in will be against Western Kentucky Saturday at 4 p.m. at Ohio Stadium. The game will be broadcast on FOX.
