Succession: Ohio State’s future plan for quarterback

Ryan Day has a plan in place for a pipeline.

After bringing in four top-four quarterbacks between 2020-22, the Ohio State head coach seems to have a type, with each of his three quarterbacks heading into the 2022 season standing at 6-foot-3 and at least 205 pounds.

That "type" seems to have extended out to the recruiting classes, offering bigger quarterbacks despite not securing a signal caller for beyond the 2022 class.

But this is how Day's pipeline works: securing one top-tier option in each recruiting class, giving him that building block for the offense moving forward.

“I mean, in today’s day and age, I think it’s pretty, it’s pretty healthy. We’ve been in a lot dicier situations than this,” the Ohio State head coach said. “It’s hard. It’s a delicate situation, but I feel really good about kind of where we’re at in that room right now. I think the guys have the right mentality. They’re developing, they’re getting better every day. Their focus is not about, ‘How quickly can I get on the field?’ Kyle (McCord) and Devin (Brown), it’s more about, ‘How do I develop to get better so that when I do get on the field, I’m ready to go.’”

It’s a process, one that Day continues to develop.

As the future of Ohio State forms, most recently with securing a commitment from 2024 quarterback Dylan Raiola, let's take a look at the succession plan for each position on the roster, starting with the premier position: quarterback.

1. C.J. Stroud

2. Kyle McCord

3. Devin Brown

First, what Ohio State has here is not ideal.

Day would much rather have four scholarship quarterbacks to fill out Corey Dennis’ room a bit more. But the hierarchy remains clear: C.J. Stroud — the reigning Heisman finalist — is the starter coming in, Kyle McCord — the heir apparent to Stroud, who started the Akron game for Ohio State in 2021 — is the backup and Devin Brown — the No. 4 quarterback in the 2022 class — is at third string.

For Day, while it’s not as deep as he would like in terms of bodies in the quarterback room, it’s “pretty healthy.”