Breaking down Ohio State's QB race: All signs point to a leader in the clubhouse

For the third time in as many years, ever since quarterback C.J. Stroud left school early to enter the NFL Draft, the battle to become Ohio State's next signal-caller has been among the driving storylines of each successive offseason, culminating with the Buckeyes' televised spring game for everyone to observe and dissect. The pattern established during the early portion of head coach Ryan Day's tenure, when Stroud and predecessor Justin Fields developed into multi-year starters, now resembles a revolving door that, at least thus far, is producing wildly contrasting results.

In 2023, the first season post-Stroud, former five-star prospect Kyle McCord outdueled Devin Brown to win the starting job. McCord performed solidly at times while throwing for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns against only six interceptions, ultimately guiding the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record, but he fell noticeably short of the sky-high expectations that demand both excellence and whatever lies beyond for the starter at Ohio State. He wound up transferring to Syracuse last winter. 

In 2024, as discussions about Day's future began occupying more and more corners of social media, the Buckeyes attached themselves to Kansas State transfer Will Howard, an imposing physical specimen with a winning pedigree but mixed statistical production in four years with the Wildcats. Howard edged Brown atop the depth chart and turned in what was unquestionably the best season of his career — he passed for 4,010 yards with 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing 73% of his throws — en route to winning the national championship and immortalizing his place in program history. Brown has since transferred to California. 

All of which set the stage for this year's