It was a picture-perfect day in Columbus yesterday afternoon as the Ohio State football team played its annual spring game. The quarterbacks performed mediocrely at best in front of 80,000 Buckeyes supporters as the open competition moves into the summer.
Arriving transfer Will Howard started and had a mediocre game. Howard was composed in the pocket while throwing 9–13 for 77 yards yesterday afternoon, but his accuracy with the long ball was lacking. Granted, he’s still getting used to a new system and receivers, and it’s only Spring Ball. Nevertheless, Howard will have to improve his accuracy if he wants to start in 2024.
Howard’s top competitor, Devin Brown, played much of the same. Throwing 5-7 for 66 yards and a touchdown, Brown showed what he could do with his legs adding 24 yards on the ground as well. In all honesty, they looked to be much of the same type of player as Brown’s deep ball accuracy was not great either.
Ryan Day wanted a better option than Kyle McCord, that much was clear. The ball placement was not what Day expected from a starting Buckeye quarterback last season. Both Howard and Brown will need to improve with that if they want to step up the overall QB play for next season.
The one quarterback who has been earning praise this Spring for his ball placement was true freshman Julian Sayin. While he might possess that critical trait, his overall pocket presence and awareness clearly lacked on Saturday, taking a total of three sacks and throwing an interception. He also needs to add size to his frame to be ready for the wear and tear of a full Big Ten slate.
