Ohio State Football: Devin Brown has first crack at QB job in 2024

While fans and players alike might be disappointed that the Ohio State football team is not playing in the College Football Playoffs, the Cotton Bowl against Missouri will still be important for the Buckeyes' future. This game is massive for quarterback Devin Brown, who will get the first crack at earning the open starting role following Kyle McCord's departure.

Brown has to be feeling good that Ryan Day and this Buckeye coaching staff have yet to pluck a QB from the transfer portal. There were some good options out there in Maalik Murphy, Dante Moore, Riley Leonard, and Dillon Gabriel. And it's not to say that Ohio State won't grab somebody. But the top talent in the portal is gone. And that has to give Devin Brown some confidence heading into this game.

Brown should have most of his weapons available to him. It sounds as if Emeka Egbuka and Cade Stover will be playing in the game, to go along with the entire starting offensive line. TreVeyon Henderson is a question mark and Marvin Harrison Jr. is very doubtful. But Brown will be given a good opportunity with plenty of weapons to prove himself against a very solid opponent.

So, what if Brown throws for 350 yards and three touchdowns in the Cotton Bowl? What if he uses his legs to escape pressure and pick up key first downs? What if he looks like he can play major college football?

Then I believe Brown will be the leading horse in the opening at QB next season for the Ohio State football team. I think Ryan Day actually feels comfortable with the QB room he has in Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and an incoming Air Noland. He wants one of them to seize the job, something that neither Brown nor McCord clearly did last Spring and summer.

But if Brown can play a good Cotton Bowl, it would be a great launching off point for him heading into the offseason. And it should give him a leg up on the competition, no matter who that might be.