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Buckeyes Coach Ryan Day Reveals Deciding Factor in Kyle McCord vs. Devin Brown QB Battle

If you're the Ohio State Buckeyes, life is easy when you transition from Justin Fields to C.J. Stroud. But now coach Ryan Day will have to see what he has in quarterbacks Kyle McCord and Devin Brown, who are set to compete for the starting job this offseason.

After falling to the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff, the Ohio State Buckeyes are set to go through another transition at quarterback as Heisman finalist and projected top-10 pick C.J. Stroud heads to the NFL.

With an expected skill drop-off at the position due to the elite talent Stroud displayed during his time in Columbus, Buckeyes coach Ryan Day now enters territory that has been uncharted for him during his head-coaching tenure at Ohio State.

Life is easy when you transition from Justin Fields to Stroud. But now Day will have to see what he has in quarterbacks Kyle McCord and Devin Brown, who are set to compete for the starting job this offseason.

So, what could help one stand out from the other?

"I think at the end of the day, both of them do things a little bit different, you know, their skill sets," Day said at his press conference Wednesday. "But the guy who's the leader has a lot of different ways to do it and is competitively tough, he's gonna ultimately win the job."

Day admitted that he "hopes" either McCord and Brown emerge as a clear starter by spring, as it would provide the proper dynamic for the program. But at the end of the day, it's a decision process he's looking forward to.

"I'm excited to see these two guys compete," Day said. "What an unbelievable opportunity for both of them. When you look at the guys in the cast surrounding them, you couldn't be more excited to be a quarterback right now in college football. … It’s gonna be a heck of a competition."

McCord clearly has the experience edge over Brown, as he's gone 41 of 58 passing for 606 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in his time with the Buckeyes.

But with an open competition this offseason, past experiences mean little, as the Buckeyes will be entering an interesting next couple of months.


You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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