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The 2024 college football season is still several months away, but it's a great time to monitor a key position battle in Columbus. Ohio State's starting quarterback from last year, Kyle McCord, transferred to Syracuse following the 2023 season. That said, one of the highest-profile quarterback jobs in the country is up for grabs.
Kansas State transfer Will Howard, Alabama transfer Julian Sayin, and 2022 Ohio State signee Devin Brown are the top candidates to lead Ryan Day's offense. After spring practice, we have a little bit more clarity on who will start for the Buckeyes this fall.
Is Howard, Sayin, or Brown the Ohio State starting quarterback in 2024? Let's dive into each quarterback and predict who will start in Week 1.
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Will Howard College Football Profile
Howard will be a fifth-year senior in 2024 after four seasons at Kansas State. The 22-year-old threw for 5,786 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions in his 34 games for the Wildcats. He also has 921 rushing yards and 19 rushing touchdowns in his collegiate career. Although he wasn't the starter all season in 2022, he led the team to a Big 12 Championship Game victory over the eventual College Football Playoff National Championship runner-up, the TCU Horned Frogs.
Will Howard runs it in for the go-ahead touchdown
vs KU pic.twitter.com/3F86dSp4JZ— The Kansas State Fan (@Thekstatefan) January 3, 2024
He has the most experience of any quarterback on Ohio State's roster, so that is his primary edge in this QB competition.
Julian Sayin College Football Profile
Sayin was an early enrollee at Alabama and participated in Rose Bowl practices for the Crimson Tide, but following Nick Saban's retirement decision, he transferred to Ohio State immediately. The freshman was rated as the No. 1 quarterback (No. 6 overall) in the 2024 recruiting class after throwing for over 7,500 yards, 85 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions over his last three high school seasons in California.
Eyes on freshman QB Julian Sayin today 👀 pic.twitter.com/X8Ldvs7hnr
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) April 13, 2024
He compiled a 30-4 record in high school, capping off his excellent resume. Although he's oozing with talent, his lack of experience could work against him in this spot.
Devin Brown College Football Profile
Brown, a former four-star recruit out of the class of 2022, battled McCord for the starting quarterback job last season, but he was ultimately beaten out early in the 2023 campaign. In six game appearances last season, Brown completed 16 of his 28 passing attempts for 217 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
Considering Ohio State felt the need to bring in Howard and Sayin in the transfer portal, it's safe to say they weren't comfortable with operating with Brown as the locked-in starter for 2024.
Who is Ohio State's Starting Quarterback?
Although head coach Ryan Day declined to name a starting quarterback after the team's spring game on Saturday, Howard took the first snaps of the game -- followed by Brown and Sayin. Ultimately, Howard appears to be the leader of the pack for now, and he's likely to start the team's opening game against Akron on August 31.
Will Howard ➡️ Emeka Egbuka
Ft. one-handed catch pic.twitter.com/ha4DhXKCsf
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) April 13, 2024
That said, the Buckeyes are unlikely to face a real test until at least September 28 against Michigan State, so there's a chance all three contending quarterbacks could see some game action early in the campaign. With former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh gone to the NFL, Ohio State is primed to retake the Big Ten crown. However, Big Ten newcomers Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA will have something to say about that.
