Ryan Day anticipates how Will Howard QB1 decision will impact Ohio State locker room

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day admits that at times a starting quarterback decision can have an impact on a team’s locker room. With that said, he doesn’t expect any backlash within the team after naming Will Howard his starting quarterback on Thursday.

In this particular situation, Day believes that it is obvious that Will Howard is the best quarterback on the roster. That wasn’t the case last year with the Buckeyes.

“I think that when it’s really, really close, and the locker room’s divided, it’s a little bit different,” Ryan Day said. “I don’t know if that’s the situation here.”

Day told reporters on Thursday that Howard is “significantly” ahead of Devin Brown for the starting quarterback job and added that he has really separated himself in the last couple of weeks.

When the entire team can see that one quarterback is better than the others, there’s no animosity, per Day.

“I think right now the team feels Will and feels his presence. So I don’t think it’s going to be huge news to the locker room. I think they see it,” Ryan Day said. “I think it’s a little bit different when it’s neck and neck and you’ve gotta make that call. Because again, everybody has their thoughts on that.”

Day admits that Devin Brown is close with several members of the Ohio State team, but he also says that it should be no issue because Will Howard has proven himself as deserving of being the Buckeyes starting QB.

“They’re with these guys year round. And Devin’s done a nice job as well. Don’t get me wrong, he’s shown good leadership,” Day said. “But I think just on the field, Will has separated himself.”

Ryan Day breaks down how Will Howard separated himself, won OSU starting quarterback job

Ohio State officially named Kansas State transfer Will Howard the team’s starting quarterback on Thursday, with coach Ryan Day announcing the news during a post-practice press conference.

Howard won the gig following a strong practice last Saturday, coupled with what he’s shown since he arrived on campus.

“A little bit of both. I think coming off the spring, everything was very new,” Day said. “It was a significant change in terms of scheme and what we ask the quarterback to do. Once he kind of went through the offseason, he changed his body and then came in with a much better knowledge of what was going on.

“You could see him playing faster, his feet were moving, the ball was coming out with more pace. Then I think after the first week you started to see him take control, make good decisions. That’s the biggest thing.”

Will Howard is coming off the best season of his career, though he had four years worth of experience with the Wildcats. He threw for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns, against 10 interceptions. He also ran for 351 yards and nine scores.