Laying out what Kyle McCord is looking for after entering transfer portal

Not too often do you see the Ohio State starting quarterback leave for another opportunity. Kyle McCord spent this year as the guy in Columbus but Ryan Day seemingly wants someone else for the 2024 season. A fresh start, potentially, for both parties with McCord officially entering the NCAA transfer portal and Ohio State being active to find a replacement.

Plenty of schools are going to have interest in McCord but the quarterback may have some limitations on his final destination. On3’s Pete Nakos does not believe McCord will want to play Ohio State in the future, eliminating the majority of Big Ten programs out there.

“Kyle is not going to want to play for a lesser Big Ten opponent,” Nakos said during Monday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “He does not want to be in a position where he plays Ohio State. I just don’t think that’s something he wants to do.”

Ohio State does not have a major nonconference opponent on the schedule, facing off against Marshall and then two MAC schools (Akron and Western Michigan). There are some big-name Big Ten programs coming up in 2024, with Michigan State, Nebraska, and Penn State.

However, in a recent report from Steven Sipple of On3’s Husker Online, Nebraska’s offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield met with McCord on Tuesday. Head coach Matt Rhule did not have consistent quarterback play during his first season in Lincoln. McCord would certainly bring that and help elevate the Huskers’ offense.

If the two decide to come together, it could be an interesting reunion on Oct. 26, 2024, from the Shoe.

While the Big Ten factor does play a role, development is the biggest factor for McCord. Finding a place where he can excel in his second season as the starting quarterback and working to make a move to the NFL is the top priority according to Nakos.

“It’s all about development for the NFL,” Nakos said. “Worked with Ryan Day, one of the best quarterback coaches in the country, this year. Now, I think he needs to go find a place that’s really going to help development in Year Two as a starter.”

McCord had a great season from a statistical standpoint, completing 65.8% of his passes for 3170 yards, 24 touchdowns, and throwing just 6 interceptions. Those numbers are with one of the best groups of receivers in all of college football but McCord would still be a valuable addition to a program out there.