Ryan Day says On3 No. 1 recruit Devin Brown's approach is "beyond his years"

Ryan Day knows a thing or two about quarterbacks.

Since the 2018 season, three different Ohio State gunslingers have earned trips to New York as Heisman Trophy finalists.

Devin Brown, who was named Monday as On3’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2022 cycle, may soon become the fourth player to make the trip to the Big Apple.

On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons talked with Day on Monday about Brown and what makes him so special as a prospect.

“Devin has great disposition,” Day told Simmons. “His approach is beyond his years. His brain fires, he has a very high football I.Q., and he is just a high achiever.”

Brown transferred to Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon for his senior season and the decision paid off big time.

He threw for 4,881 yards — a state single-season record — and 57 touchdowns with 14 interceptions on a 68.3% completion percentage Brown also showed off his mobility by running for another 430 yards and eight scores.

“He throwing ability is very good,” Day said. “Devin has a big arm, he is very athletic, and he is a quarterback that can anticipate, throw with speed, or get outside the pocket to throw with touch. His athleticism may surprise some. He is a young man that dunks a basketball and can move.”

Draper (Utah) Corner Canyon made it all the way to the state championship game before falling to Highland (Utah) Lone Peak.

Despite the loss, Brown put on a show in the state championship. He passed for 386 yards and four touchdowns with his only interception being tipped. He ran for 103 yards and another touchdown.

It is that type of performance that made Brown the most sought-after quarterback in the cycle after Clay Helton was fired from USC, where he was originally committed.

“Other things that stand out about Devin is how intelligent he is,” Day added. “He can really process things. He picks up things quickly and he is a smart young man.”

Days says enrolling early is going to “really help” Devin Brown

Devin Brown was one of 11 early enrollees at Ohio State, and Ryan Day believes that was a smart decision for the five-star recruit.

Day says the 15 spring practices and time training in the building during the six months before the summer programs start are very important for kids who want to play early.

“It is so important now and that will help Devin,” Day told Simmons. He gets to go through this off-season and it will change his body. He will get bigger, stronger, and much more comfortable. I think it really helps all the players to get in early, but especially quarterbacks.”

Incumbent starting quarterback C.J. Stroud was an early enrollee two winters ago when he left Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., for Columbus.

The decision paid dividends for the former five-star prospect. Stroud backed up future first round pick Justin Fields in 2020 before winning the starting role this past season.

Stroud was a Heisman finalist, throwing for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns against only six interceptions. On3 ranked him the sixth-most impactful player of the season.

With Stroud eligible for the draft after this season and the competition after him likely Brown’s to lose, Brown could see a similar trajectory for himself in Scarlet and Gray going forward.

And it all started with him enrolling early.

“To get the experience you need, you need to be on campus,” Brown said. “You can’t replicate a practice, so being a mid-year graduate will really help Devin. He will get so much experience this spring and that will be huge in his growth.”