After Kyle McCord announced he would enter the transfer portal on Dec. 4, it left a starting position open at quarterback for Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl, and Devin Brown is ready to show off what he can do on the big stage.
“I’m pumped,” Brown said. “I can’t believe my first start is going to be in the Cotton Bowl. It’s a big stage against a really good team. It’s a top-10 matchup. I’m excited to go out there and show what I can do.”
Ryan Day hasn’t named a starter yet, but with Brown saying he is fully healthy after the ankle injury he suffered against Penn State, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it is him since the battle between him and McCord was so close at the beginning of the season.
Brown also got some chances throughout the regular season when he was healthy, mostly in the red zone, and when his mobility could be taken advantage of when the Buckeyes played against Purdue and Penn State. In five games he was 12 of 22 passing with two touchdowns and an interception while running for 35 yards and a touchdown with 19 carries.
Brown said getting those opportunities and knowing that he could have his name called to go in at any moment made him prepare as if he would be starting every game, so his preparation for the bowl game isn’t going to be any different than what he’s used to, but he will be more comfortable knowing he is getting his chance.
“All year, I’ve always prepared like I was the starter,” he said. “It’s definitely different knowing you’re getting a lot more reps because it’s not split up or anything like that. There’s nothing to look over my shoulder for, just go out, have fun and play my game.”
Brown’s teammates are excited to see what he can bring. Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who said he would be playing in the Cotton Bowl but is undecided about his future after that, said he is looking forward to the mobility that Brown has when plays break down.
“I’m not bashing Kyle but something Devin has that he doesn’t is a little bit more mobility,” Egbuka said. “Devin really has a knack for extending the play after it’s broken down. That’s something that’s ultra-valuable, especially when you’re playing in matchup games because those big plays often come from broken down plays. The ability to extend a play is a trait that really can help a quarterback a lot.”
Egbuka also said he believes Brown is a great passer as well and very good at improvising when he needs to.
Brown seems to be taking first-team reps right now but he said freshman Lincoln Kienholz is also working hard so that when his chance comes, he’s ready to go.
“Lincoln is trying to get himself better every day,” Brown said. “He’s a really good athlete, and he’s doing everything he can just as I am to be the starter. He’s going to keep working. We’ve been together in the film room and in the weight room together, so it’s good to compete.”
Brown also seems to have no plans to transfer, even if Ohio State brings in another quarterback through the transfer portal.
“My focus is on being the starting quarterback at Ohio State,” he said. “I’ve never cared about who was in the room or anybody that was coming. I’m going to compete and do what I can do.”
