During his podium session at Big Ten Media Days that kicked off Wednesday in Indianapolis, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day offered an update on battles at quarterback and on the offensive line with fall camp just a few weeks away.
Beginning at signal caller, arguably the most important battle on Ohio State’s roster entering this season, Day said that the two contenders – Kyle McCord and Devin Brown – had “very good summers,” and have both shown leadership.
“Now it’s going to be time to go put it on the field,” Day said. “We obviously would like for someone to emerge here quickly. We’ll kind of have to see once we get on the field.”
Day did not name a starter nor did he offer a timeline for eventually selecting one, but whether that winds up as McCord or Brown, Day feels confident in the depth behind the duo with the additions of transfer Tristan Gebbia and freshman Lincoln Kienholz over the offseason.
“(Tristan)’s going to help provide depth for us, and that’s important because this is the most depth we’ve had for a long time at the quarterback position,” Day said, “which will allow us to do some things maybe we haven’t done in the past.”
The coach also offered an update on the offensive line, which is looking to replace both tackles as well as center following the departures of Paris Johnson Jr., Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler. Looking to fill those roles are tackles Josh Fryar and Zen Michalski, as well as transfer Josh Simmons from San Diego State, with Carson Hinzman, Jakob James and transfer Victor Cutler Jr. battling at center.
With no shortage of options looking to fill the wholes on the offensive line, Day is excited about what that group could bring to the table this season.
“Josh Fryar looks good, he cut weight. He’s doing better. We also added Josh Simmons, who prefers to be called Jimmy, by the way,” Day said. “Luke Montgomery has been in the mix. He had a really good summer. We have Vic Cutler we’ve added. We have some good pieces there. They just haven’t played.
“That’s where this offseason has been important, but in August it’s going to be critical for them to build chemistry and make sure they solidify themselves as starters. I think we have enough people there we feel good we can find that, but they have to go do it. That’s something that we’ve got to make sure we’re focused on.”
