Buckeyes not ready to name starting quarterback, C.J. Stroud showing 'separation'

C.J. Stroud will have to wait a bit longer. The redshirt freshman still hasn’t been named Ohio State’s starting quarterback. But he has been leading the quarterback race since the spring, leading the group through drills and showing why he was a five-star recruit.

Ryan Day offered the first sign of Stroud taking first-team reps in the leadup to the season opener against Minnesota on Monday. 

“I would say right now, we’re not going to name a starter today,” Day said in his weekly press conference at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. “But I do think there has been a little bit of separation. I think that C.J. has separated here a little bit over the last couple weeks, but we’ll see what this week brings. Certainly not making any decisions right now.”

Three-man race in Columbus

Stroud won the backup job last year. When Justin Fields exited the Sugar Bowl after taking a hit to the side, it was Stroud who entered the game.

Still, the Buckeyes weren’t anywhere close to naming a starter this spring. Jack Miller and five-star Kyle McCord both have challenged Stroud throughout the spring and now into the summer. McCord displayed his arm strength in Ohio State’s spring game and has stretched out the competition since he enrolled in January.

Whoever Ohio State does start Week 1 against Minnesota won’t have a single career pass attempt in college football.

“I’ll say every day he’s been competing, taking care of the football, making good decisions,” Day said. “He’s been a leader. Those are all some of the traits we’re looking for. Certainly moving the team down the field to score touchdowns is something we look for.”

Day’s update falls right on the timeline he provided last week. The Buckeyes held a scrimmage this past Saturday, providing a key data point for the coaching staff when evaluating position battles.

Importance of depth in Ohio State quarterback room

If there’s anything last year’s COVID-19 impacted season proved, it’s the importance of having depth at each position.

That rings true for the Buckeyes quarterback room. The last time Ohio State won a national championship, the Buckeyes needed three quarterbacks.

With Quinn Ewers’ arrival in Columbus, the Buckeyes now have four highly-recruited quarterbacks inside the program.

“It’s a long season,” Day said. “I think that’s what all those guys understand and will continue to understand. We’re talking about going all the way to January, so everything in my experience is we’re going to need everybody.

“One thing is for sure: There’s going to be one starter in terms of that first play against Minnesota. From that point we’ll see where it goes.”