There’s a big question mark for Ohio State entering the 2023 season, and it has everything to do with who will take the place of outgoing, two-time Heisman finalist, C.J. Stroud.
And so far, there’s not been an answer to that because according to head coach Ryan Day and the coaching staff, both Kyle McCord and Devin Brown have both been worthy of time under center, with neither separating himself. Now just a week away from the first game of 2023, it’s looking like both will get playing time and that this thing is going to go into the season.
At some point though, you have to think either Brown or McCord are going to be named a starter, and either way, it’s a year in which Ohio State is ushering in a new player at the most important position on the field.
A lot of the national media has tempered expectations for the Buckeyes because of the unknowns at quarterback, even though OSU is still inside the top five in most preseason polls and opinion rankings.
But hold the phone. Is a new quarterback really a problem at Ohio State, especially under Ryan Day? Believe it or not — and most Buckeye fans know this — first-year quarterbacks at Ohio State have not only been solid, but surprisingly out of this world.
We thought we’d take a look at some of first-year starers over the most recent of years, because it’s really been quite amazing the level of production those guys have had.
Braxton Miller (2011)
J.T. Barrett (2014)
First-year performance
Games | 12
Passing | 203-of-314 (64.6%) for 2,834 yards, 13 TDs, 4 INTs
Rushing | 171 rushes for 938 yards (5.5 avg.), 11 TDs
Ohio State’s final record | 14-1, Big Ten championship, national championship – *beat Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff
Result vs. Michigan | Ohio State won, 42-28
* Cardale Jones took over for an injured J.T. Barrett during the postseason
Dwayne Haskins (2018)
First-year performance (Heisman finalist)
Games | 14
Passing | 373-of-533 (70.0%) for 4,831 yards, 50 TDs, 8 INTs
Rushing | 79 rushes for 108 yards (1.4 avg.), 4 TDs
Ohio State’s final record | 13-1, Big Ten championship, beat Washington in the Rose Bowl, 28-23
Result vs. Michigan | Ohio State won, 62-39
Justin Fields (2019)
First-year performance (Heisman finalist)
Games | 14
Passing | 238-of-354 (67.2%) for 3,273 yards, 41 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing | 137 rushes for 484 yards (3.5 avg.), 10 TDs
Ohio State’s final record | 13-1, Big Ten championship, lost to Clemson in CFP Fiesta Bowl semifinal, 23-29
Result vs. Michigan | Ohio State won, 56-27
C.J. Stroud (2021)
First-year performance (Heisman finalist)
Games | 12
Passing | 317-of-441 (71.9%) for 4,435 yards, 44 TDs, 6 INTs
Rushing | 32 rushes for -20 yards (-0.6 avg.), 0 TDs
Ohio State’s final record | 13-1, Big Ten championship, lost to Clemson in CFP Fiesta Bowl semifinal, 23-29
Result vs. Michigan | Ohio State won, 56-27
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