Ohio State is under three weeks away from opening its football season at Indiana on Sept. 2, but there are still a few important things to be sorted out on the roster.
The thought was that Saturday’s scrimmage, the first of preseason camp, would provide some clarity in position battles. That hasn’t been the case, at least at quarterback. Here are a few things we learned from Ohio State coach Ryan Day as he recapped the team’s first scrimmage:
Ohio State is not ready to name a starting QB
This week in the preseason has typically been around the time that Day would announce a starter. But that’s not the case with Devin Brown vs. Kyle McCord.
Saturday’s scrimmage did little to push Day in one direction or the other, at least publicly. He wants to see the competition play out more.
Day has been consistent in saying that he thinks McCord and Brown are both capable quarterbacks who have the talent to lead the offense. But he needs to see a sizable difference to feel comfortable naming a starter. He hasn’t seen that yet.
One thing both are lacking is consistency. That’s what the position needs more than anything, Day said.
“We are looking for consistency there. I keep going back to there doesn’t need to be an extraordinary play,” Day said. “It’s making the routine plays routinely and taking care of the football.”
Until Day sees that, this battle will continue. Does that mean we could see it run into the season? That’s a possibility.
Day said the staff hasn’t thought ahead that far. He’d still ideally like to have a clear starter by Indiana. But if that’s not the case, they’ll come up with a plan. He doesn’t believe in the thinking that because McCord is the more experienced of the two that he should be pulling away by now.
Day said both quarterbacks played well in first- and second-down drills Saturday but were hot and cold in the “move it” drills.
“There were some things that were good, but we didn’t see the consistency you want to see out of a starter,” Day said. “But there were some good things.”
As the scrimmage continued, Ohio State did third-down drills, which Day said showed some offensive improvement, even though the defense won. He described performance in the red zone as just “OK,” and that it “wasn’t great on either end.”
And there was the “coming out” drill, which is used to simulate starting a drive on the right foot. Day said the quarterbacks did well there.
The ups and downs in the battle continue. Neither McCord nor Brown stepped up to take the job, but Day assured everyone it’s not because they’re not capable.
“I don’t think it’s right now where both guys are just blowing it out of the water and I don’t know who is going to play, but it’s also not like they aren’t doing well either,” Day said. “There’s good play, ability, and now it’s looking for the consistency.”
Henderson shines in camp
After being limited by injuries last season, running back TreVeyon Henderson has been a standout performer in camp.
A freshman standout in 2021, Henderson had a foot injury that hampered him much of last season. He wasn’t the efficient or explosive back he showed the year prior, with just 571 yards and six touchdowns on 107 carries.
So far in camp, though, Day said Henderson has been fantastic.
“Trey has had a great offseason and a great 10 days of practice,” Day said. “He looks fast and is seeing the holes. I can’t say enough about the work he’s putting in right now. I know he’s anxious to get back on the field.”
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Williams to miss the entire season, again
Kourt Williams recently switched to linebacker from safety and was excited to be healthy again after two torn labrums ended his season last year.
Instead, Williams will miss another season after he tore his ACL on Friday.
The news was especially unfortunate for a player who missed his entire freshman season with an ACL injury and played just six games last season before his shoulder injury forced him to sit out the rest of the year.
Christian out after banned substance test
Redshirt freshman tight end Bennett Christian has been ruled out for the season after testing positive for a banned substance.
Christian was a four-star prospect out of high school in Acworth, Ga., but was expected to be a reserve in a unit led by Cade Stover this fall.
“I am sorry that I put myself in this position and even more disappointed to have let down my teammates, coaching staff and family,” Christian said in a statement on social media. “I accept responsibility for my actions and for this suspension. This all could’ve been so easily avoided if I would’ve reached out to our training staff about the supplement and clarify that it was within policy. That will be a lesson learned and something all athletes should be aware of going forward.”
Statement regarding the recent news about me. I want it to be known that I take responsibility for what goes into my body. It is important for all athletes to be educated on any supplement they take and everything that could be put in it. Please let this be a lesson to everyone. pic.twitter.com/pgcbhA20GL
— Bennett Christian (@BennettC87) August 14, 2023
(Photo of Kyle McCord: Jason Mowry / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
