Ryan Day shares how being in pads impacts quarterback competition

Between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown, the Ohio State quarterback competition has been something to keep an eye on throughout the summer.

However, Ryan Day recognizes that putting pads on as the season approaches is certainly a game-changer. It remains to be seen who Day chooses to lead the team, but he provided some interesting context as to the state of the competition on Wednesday.

“Well the hardest thing about playing the game of football is you don’t really get a feel for what you have until you play the game. I know that sounds silly, but in basketball you can go shoot around and go play against each other in the park, and you know you can go to the batting cages, you can do those things, but in football, how do you really simulate a game? And for a quarterback, how do you simulate the pass rush? It’s impossible to do,” explained Day. “Having 200, 300 pound guys going against each other, you’ve got four of them going on at once right in front of you. And then trying to process what’s going on with the coverages, and the protections and what’s the down and distance in the situation. The ball could be just a little bit off, and the ball gets tipped in the air for an interception, or it’s completed right here for a first down. Or when do you decided to throw it, and pull it down? All these different things, the decision-making processes.

“So you just feel that when you have teamwork. You know, seven-on-seven, you get to see if they have the ability to get it done. But now as you’re starting to see some of the situational things.”

Continuing, Day elaborated on what Ohio State is currently working on, and where he’s hoping to see his quarterbacks improve.

“Today we worked on short yardage. We worked on red zone. We have a couple different things yesterday. Third down, third and long. You’re starting to see some of these situations, and you’re starting to see some of this stuff crystalize,” added the Ohio State leader. “Like you said, can they do these things, and what does it look like? And if you take a small sample size, it’s harder.

“When you get these bigger sample sizes, as we start to put more and more practices behind us, you can start to see where their progression is, and the areas that you need to improve in.”

Alas, Ohio State is getting closer and closer to having to name a starter, and many have their opinions, but Ryan Day has the final say, and he’s taking everything into account, it seems.