Ryan Day details Ohio State's quarterback situation for the Cotton Bowl

The decision by QB Kyle McCord to enter the transfer portal put the quarterback situation for Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl up for question. However, according to Ryan Day, the Buckeyes have a clear, straightforward answer at the position.

Day addressed the quarterback spot for their matchup with Missouri in Arlington during a press conference last week. While there might be a world where Lincoln Kienholz sees the field, their plan is for this to be the opportunity for Devin Brown.

“I mean the plan is to play Devin,” said Day.

“If the situation comes up to get Lincoln in the game? We would do that. But this is going to be Devin’s game to play,” Day said.

Brown, in his second collegiate year, was the other option for the starting job in Columbus coming into this season. In the end, though, McCord won the gig and went on to throw for over 3,100 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

As the backup, Brown went 12-22 for 197 yards, a pair of touchdowns, and one pick. He also got 19 carries on the year for 35 yards and another score.

Kienholz was the only other quarterback to appear for Ohio State in 2023. As a freshman, he completed four of his five pass attempts for 25 yards.

McCord’s move to Syracuse this month changed things up for the game plan against the Tigers inside AT&T Stadium. Even so, all indications from Day suggests that Brown is and will be the guy for Buckeyes later on this week.

Day on quarterback situation: ‘Competition is very healthy’

Ryan Day has a lot to think about as it pertains to his future plans at quarterback. With Kyle McCord already gone in the transfer portal, the Buckeyes need to figure out who is in line to replace him.

That could require going to the portal themselves or it may be that the right guy is already on the roster. Devin Brown spent this season backing up McCord and will get his chance to start in the Cotton Bowl. That will give him an opportunity to show what he can do running the offense.

Ohio State also has Lincoln Kienholz, a true freshman this past season who ranked as a four-star out of high school. It is bringing in another four-star freshman this offseason in Air Noland.

Day will likely have another QB competition on his hands to start the spring and he hopes that will bring out the best in each of those players.

“Competition is very healthy,” he said. “I think Lincoln’s really coming on. Excited to see Air get going here this spring. Fired up to see the way Devin’s been practicing the last few weeks. It’s been great for him now that he’s healthy and his ankle’s feeling better. Kind of like, ‘OK. Take this thing to run and see how the next couple of weeks go in terms of the way he handles himself.’”

“I’m excited that he’s gonna be able to play in this game and then just go from there,” said Day.