History suggests Ryan Day typically announces Ohio State’s starting quarterback shortly before the season begins, often after spring practice or during fall camp.

The quarterback position is often considered the most critical in college football, serving as the on-field leader and playmaker. At Ohio State, a program with a storied football history, the process of selecting and announcing the starting quarterback has garnered significant attention from fans, media, and the football community alike. Since Ryan Day took over as head coach in 2019, the approach to naming a starting quarterback has reflected a combination of tradition, competition, and strategic timing. Historically, Day’s pattern aligns with that of many college programs: the announcement tends to come shortly before the season begins, often after spring practice or during fall camp. To understand this trend, it’s essential to examine the broader context of Ohio State’s quarterback history, Day’s coaching philosophy, and how these elements influence the timing of such crucial decisions.

Ohio State’s Quarterback History: A Tradition of Competition and Uncertainty

Ohio State has a rich history of producing elite quarterbacks — from Troy Smith and Justin Fields to J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones. The program’s success often hinges on the quarterback’s ability to lead effectively, making the timing of the announcement a topic of intense speculation and focus.

Historically, Ohio State has favored a competitive approach to quarterback battles, often holding spring practices and fall camp as opportunities to evaluate multiple contenders. For example, in 2018, the Buckeyes held an open competition between Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow, culminating in Haskins winning the starting role just before the season started. Similarly, in 2014, J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller competed for the starting job, with Barrett ultimately earning the nod just ahead of the season.

This pattern underscores a strategic preference to evaluate players during spring and fall practices before making a definitive announcement. It also reflects the program’s culture of competition, where the decision is based on performance, leadership, and readiness rather than early declarations.

Ryan Day’s Coaching Philosophy and Its Impact on Quarterback Announcements

Ryan Day, known for his offensive acumen and leadership qualities, has continued Ohio State’s tradition of evaluating talent thoroughly before naming a starter. Since assuming the head coaching role, Day has emphasized competition and meritocracy, often allowing the quarterback battle to unfold during spring and fall practices.

In his first season as head coach in 2019, Day inherited Dwayne Haskins, who had already established himself as the starter. His subsequent quarterback decisions have followed a similar pattern: assessing talent during spring practice and fall camp, then announcing the starter just before the season kicks off. This approach allows the coaching staff to observe players in a competitive environment, gauge their readiness, and make an informed decision based on current form rather than early predictions.

For example, in 2022, the quarterback battle between C.J. Stroud and Kyle McCord was highly competitive. Day and his staff evaluated both players throughout spring and summer, ultimately naming Stroud as the starter just before the season commenced. This timing aligns with the broader trend observed at Ohio State and many other programs, where the coach prefers to wait until preseason competitions are complete before making a public declaration.

The Strategic Rationale Behind Timing the Announcement

Several strategic reasons underpin the timing of the quarterback announcement at Ohio State under Ryan Day. First, it provides clarity and stability to the team, allowing players to focus on their preparations without the distraction of uncertainty. Second, it offers the coaching staff the opportunity to evaluate players in game-like situations during spring and fall practices, making the decision more informed and justified.

Additionally, delaying the announcement until just before the season preserves competitive intensity among the quarterbacks, encouraging them to perform at their best during practices. It also prevents opponents from gaining insights into the depth chart early, which could be exploited strategically.

The timing also aligns with recruiting and media considerations. Announcing a starter just before the season begins ensures maximum media attention and anticipation, energizing the fan base and providing clarity for game planning.

Specific Instances of Quarterback Announcements Under Ryan Day

Since taking over as head coach, Ryan Day has generally followed this pattern:

• 2019 Season: Dwayne Haskins had already established himself as the starter in 2018. When Day took over, he continued with Haskins, ultimately announcing him as the starter for the 2019 season. The official announcement came during preseason, close to the start of the season.
• 2020 Season: Justin Fields transferred from Georgia and quickly became the favorite to start. Day announced Fields as the starter during fall camp, shortly before the season’s start, which was delayed due to the pandemic.
• 2021 Season: The quarterback competition between Fields and newcomer Jack Miller was ongoing during spring practice. However, Fields was named the starter early in fall camp, with the official declaration made before the season began.
• 2022 Season: The competition between C.J. Stroud and Kyle McCord was intense. Day publicly named Stroud as the starter during fall camp, just before Ohio State’s season opener.
• 2023 Season: As of October 2023, the quarterback competition was ongoing, but the pattern suggests that the coaching staff would prefer to evaluate during spring and fall, making a decision shortly before the opening game.

The Broader College Football Context

Ohio State’s approach is consistent with broader college football practices. Coaches often prefer to keep the competition open as long as possible, revealing their choice when they feel it’s most strategic—usually during the final days of fall camp or just before the first game. This approach maximizes competitive motivation, minimizes opponent preparation for a specific quarterback, and allows for the most accurate assessment of players’ current form.

The Future of Quarterback Announcements at Ohio State

As Ohio State continues to develop elite talent and recruit highly competitive quarterbacks, the timing of announcing starters may evolve but is likely to remain anchored around late summer or early fall. Ryan Day’s emphasis on evaluating talent through spring and fall practices suggests that he values thorough assessment over early declarations, aligning with the program’s tradition of competitiveness.

In summary, the history of Ohio State football under Ryan Day indicates a consistent pattern: the announcement of the starting quarterback generally occurs shortly before the start of the season, often after spring practice or during fall camp. This timing allows for comprehensive evaluation, maintains competitive intensity, and ensures strategic clarity. It reflects Ohio State’s long-standing culture of competition and excellence at the quarterback position, and under Day’s leadership, this tradition appears poised to continue, with decisions driven by performance, readiness, and team needs rather than early speculation.