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Scarlet Sunrise: Ohio State QBs Kyle McCord, Devin Brown tip caps to departing C.J. Stroud

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•01/17/23•

andybackstrom

Kyle McCord by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord has backed up C.J. Stroud the last two seasons. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

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Ohio State QBs Kyle McCord, Devin Brown tip caps to departing C.J. Stroud

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud declared for this year’s NFL Draft Monday. Now, the attention turns to fellow Buckeyes signal callers Kyle McCord and Devin Brown, both of whom tipped their caps to Stroud via social media following the top-five projected NFL Draft pick’s announcement.

McCord has backed up Stroud the last two seasons. He completed 16-of-20 passes for 190 yards and a score in relief of “7” this season. As a true freshman in 2021, McCord appeared in five games and even started one against Akron when Stroud was sidelined. That game, the Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, native went 13-of-18 for 319 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.

McCord starred at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who broke out this season as a Biletnikoff Award finalist.

Like McCord, Brown is also a former five-star recruit. But Brown is going on his second year with the program while McCord is going on his third. Brown was the higher-rated prospect of the pair, according to On3, which had Brown as the top player in the 2022 class.

The competition between McCord and Brown was already heating up during Peach Bowl prep. Whoever wins the job will have Stroud’s big shoes to fill.

Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud declares for NFL Draft

Stroud waited until the deadline to make his decision, which he said in a social media post was “one of the hardest I’ve ever had to make.”

More from Stroud’s statement: “As a kid, I dreamed of playing football at the highest level and after much prayer, I’ve made the decision that it’s time to turn those dreams into a reality. With that said, I am declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. This ain’t goodbye…Buckeye For Life!”

Stroud is a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist who swept the Big Ten Quarterback of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year awards both his seasons as Ohio State’s starting signal caller. He posted an 85:12 touchdown-to-interception ratio in that span while completing 69.3% of his passes.

Stroud is a top-five projected NFL Draft pick. Most mocks have him behind Alabama’s Bryce Young as QB2 in the 2023 class. Some have him as QB1, and some have him as QB3 behind Young and Kentucky’s Will Levis. The Inland Empire, California, native helped himself with a valiant effort in a heartbreaking Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal loss to eventual national champion Georgia. Stroud did what doubters said he wouldn’t: make off-schedule throws and tuck the ball for game-changing runs.

READ: Breaking down impact as Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud declares for NFL Draft

Buckeyes safety Lathan Ransom putting off NFL, returning for senior season

Well, Ohio State is getting one starting safety back. While Ronnie Hickman — a two-year starter — and Tanner McCalister — an Oklahoma State grad transfer who spent his final season in Columbus — are heading for the NFL, Lathan Ransom is returning to the Buckeyes, his father told The Columbus Dispatch Monday.

Ransom struggled mightily in Ohio State’s final two games of the season. Of his 272 receiving yards allowed in 2022, 160 came against Michigan and Georgia, according to Pro Football Focus. Most notably, Ransom lost his footing and gave up a 76-yard touchdown to Bulldogs wideout Arian Smith in the fourth quarter of the Peach Bowl.

That play or game, however, wasn’t representative of Ransom’s breakout season. He posted 65 total tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, three passes defended, 3.5 TFLs and 1.5 sacks. Ransom also blocked punts back-to-back weeks against Indiana and Maryland, the second of which he pulled off after breaking his thumb earlier in the game in College Park.

Even with his late-season struggles, Ransom still finished the season with a PFF coverage grade of 76.4.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 228 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 312 days

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