Scarlet Sunrise: Former Buckeyes starting QB Kyle McCord reflects on time at Ohio State

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Kyle McCord speaks about time at Ohio State

At this time last year, Kyle McCord was set to be the starting quarterback at Ohio State. A year later, he represented Syracuse at ACC Media Days this week.

What a change of scenery that is. McCord took the mic at ACC Media Days and reflected on his time as the Buckeyes starter, when he went 12-1 in his career and had some bright moments in that position.

“Truly grateful for my three years at Ohio State,” McCord told reporters. “I got to sit behind CJ [Stroud] for two years, learned a lot from him. Then I had the opportunity to start there last year.”

In his career, McCord appeared in 24 games. He completed nearly 67 percent of his passes for 3,776 yards, 27 touchdowns and eight interception. Most of that came as a junior last season, when he had 3,170 yards passing for 24 scores and six picks.

But it wasn’t enough, as the Buckeyes lost to Michigan for the third straight year in a game in which McCord had a pair of interceptions. He entered the transfer portal the morning it opened and ultimately landed at Syracuse.

He’s hoping the lessons he learned at Ohio State can help him win at his next stop.

“I think just the biggest thing I’ve been focusing on is the biggest thing is winning and the product that you put on the field. That’s kind of the message to the team,” McCord said. “No matter what happens at the end of the day? Like, when we go out on the field, we’re going to have to compete. We’re going to have to win. We’re going to have to be tough.”

Latest on David Sanders, other Buckeyes targets

Lettermen Row was in Indianapolis this week for Big Ten Media Days.

While in Indianapolis, Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook caught up with On3 Vice President of Recruiting and Transfer Portal Steve Wiltfong to discuss Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class.

Wiltfong also broke down the recruitments of several Ohio State targets, most notably Five-Star Plus+ Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day School offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. 

“I think that David Sanders and his family are continuing to evaluate all their options as they continue to go through a process that began really when he was in eighth grade,” Wiltfong told Lettermen Row on Wednesday. “How he’s the North Carolina Gatorade state Player of the Year, helped Providence Day win another state championship as a two-way player and just as talented as he is on the football field, he is uber-talented in the classroom. He’s an A student with aspirations of majoring in sports medicine and ultimately being an orthopedic surgeon when he’s done playing football. I think Ohio State has shown him a lot of resources and a lot of things that can help him maximize his abilities on the football field, and then maximize his potential off the football field.”

“I think he feels like he fits in with the players. The coaching staff has a proven track record. So Ohio State’s well positioned here. I think they’re in the top two with Tennessee, but Georgia and Nebraska round out the top four. I still wouldn’t be surprised that David Sanders ends up taking a visit or two this weekend here, as prospects get back on the road before one more final dead period before he announces his college decision in August. So Ohio State they’re right there in the thick of it. I think that they’re doing everything right on all fronts. But will it be enough? Time will tell as they adopt those I’s and cross those T’s.”

WATCH MORE:

Which second-year Buckeyes are in best position to play?

Ohio State is less than a week away from opening training camp for the most anticipated season in a long, long time.

Why the hype? Because the Buckeyes bring back nearly every piece of their 11-2 season and added key newcomers from the transfer portal. But behind the scenes this offseason, the Buckeyes have been developing their second-year players — and they’ll come to rely on some of them.

Who are the best-positioned second-year players to make a splash on the depth chart this season? Lettermen Row made sure to break that down as we officially begin previewing training camp.

There are plenty of options among the second-year Buckeyes. Which of them will see the most playing time?

READ: Second-year Buckeyes in best position to make impact this season

Counting Down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 35 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 126 days

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