C.J. Stroud offers advice to Will Howard, Devin Brown in quarterback competition

Ryan Day has another quarterback competition ahead of him, with Will Howard and Devin Brown battling for the starting job. Howard transferred into the program this offseason from Kansas State, while Brown is going through this process again. A lot rides on the competition for Ohio State, needing to contend for a national championship this upcoming season.

If there is anyone who does know about an Ohio State QB battle, it’s CJ Stroud. He won the job ahead of the 2021 season in what was considered a four-man race.

Stroud gave Brown and Howard advice as they duel with each other, saying listening to what the coaches are saying is the biggest thing. Mentally preparing to be the Ohio State quarterback can be tough as well, needing to be ready for when tough stretches come at some point.

“I think for those guys, doing it for the right reasons and listening to the coaching,” Stroud said. “It’s not going to be easy. At one point in your career at Ohio State, people are going to hate you and they’re going to talk crazy. But it’s all to prepare you for what’s next.”

Of course, both guys want to win and be Ohio State’s guy moving forward. It’s natural for every play to have a desire to be on the field, making plays when it matters the most. Quarterback is always a bit different though as only one is on the field at a time.

Stroud is a competitor at heart and glad he won his quarterback competition and eventually played for two seasons in Columbus. But he was not wishing anything negative upon the guys he was going up against. Still cheering them on and not taking advantage of anything was key to the whole process.

He’s hopeful Brown and Howard approach the competition the same way this spring and potentially through fall camp until Day makes a decision.

“One thing that me, Jack (Miller), and Quinn (Ewers) and Kyle (McCord) — we all have really good relationships off the field. We all really want to see each other do well,” CJ Stroud said. “Of course, everybody wanted to play and wanted to start. But it wasn’t out of ill will. It wasn’t like we were trying to cut each other in line… Really, everything was natural. I think that’s why we’ve all had some success.”

Whoever does wind up winning, you know Stroud will be there to support him.