Ex-Buckeye Kyle McCord sets the record straight regarding Ohio State HC Ryan Day a year after transferring

Ex-Buckeye Kyle McCord Sets the Record Straight Regarding Ohio State HC Ryan Day a Year After Transferring

The transfer portal has become an increasingly common feature of college football, allowing players to seek new opportunities at different programs when their current situations are no longer ideal. The decision to transfer can be influenced by a variety of factors, ranging from playing time to personal circumstances, and sometimes, it can even involve complex relationships with coaching staffs. One such instance involved Kyle McCord, the former Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback, who transferred after the 2023 season, leaving behind one of the most successful and high-profile programs in college football.

A year after his departure from Ohio State, McCord, who transferred to Arizona State University, sat down in a candid interview to discuss his time at Ohio State, his decision to transfer, and his relationship with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day. McCord’s decision to leave the Buckeyes was a point of much speculation, as many viewed his departure as a result of the highly competitive quarterback battle at Ohio State, where he found himself in direct competition with fellow quarterback Devin Brown.

However, as McCord reflects on his time in Columbus, it becomes clear that his transfer had much more to do with the internal dynamics of the quarterback room and the broader challenges he faced in a high-pressure environment. Despite the speculation and rumors that followed his decision, McCord is now setting the record straight, offering a more nuanced perspective on his experience and dispelling myths surrounding his relationship with Ryan Day and the coaching staff.

McCord’s Journey to Ohio State

Kyle McCord’s path to Ohio State was filled with high expectations. A highly-rated recruit out of St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, McCord was a four-star prospect and one of the top quarterbacks in the country. He was considered a potential future star and a key building block for the Buckeyes’ offense. His decision to commit to Ohio State was seen as a major coup for the program, given the school’s reputation for developing elite quarterbacks and its track record of producing high-level NFL talent.

McCord spent his first two seasons at Ohio State backing up C.J. Stroud, a future NFL first-round pick and the centerpiece of the Buckeyes’ offense. While Stroud’s success and leadership left McCord with limited opportunities to play, he showed flashes of his own potential whenever called upon. McCord’s first significant playing time came in 2022 when he appeared in several games, including a solid showing against Toledo, where he threw for over 300 yards and four touchdowns. Despite the limited reps, McCord displayed accuracy, poise, and a strong arm—traits that earned him the confidence of Ohio State coaches and fans alike.

However, with Stroud leaving for the NFL draft after the 2022 season, McCord found himself in a highly competitive quarterback battle with Devin Brown in 2023. Both quarterbacks were highly touted recruits, and the battle for the starting role became one of the most closely watched storylines at Ohio State.

The 2023 Quarterback Battle and McCord’s Departure

McCord’s time as the presumed successor to C.J. Stroud quickly became complicated in 2023. The quarterback competition between McCord and Brown was fierce, with both players showing promise and earning reps with the first-team offense during spring and fall camps. On paper, McCord seemed like the logical choice to take over as the starting quarterback, given his experience and the strong performances he had delivered in his limited appearances. However, Brown was pushing hard for the starting role as well, creating a situation where neither quarterback was able to establish a clear hold on the position.

As the season progressed, McCord’s role in the offense became increasingly uncertain. He saw significant playing time during the first few games of the season, but the competition with Brown never truly resolved. McCord’s performance was solid but not spectacular. While he demonstrated the ability to lead the team and made several impressive throws, there were moments when he struggled with consistency and making critical decisions under pressure. This ultimately led to a shift in Ohio State’s offensive approach, with McCord being used in a more rotational role alongside Brown, rather than being named the outright starter.

By midseason, McCord decided that the situation at Ohio State was no longer the right fit for his development and career aspirations. While McCord was highly respected for his work ethic and leadership, the uncertainty surrounding his position led him to seek a fresh start at a program where he could be the undisputed starting quarterback. He entered the transfer portal in the winter of 2023, officially announcing his decision to leave Ohio State.

The Transfer to Arizona State and McCord’s Reflection

McCord’s transfer to Arizona State University was seen as a calculated decision. With the Sun Devils in need of a new leader at quarterback, McCord’s arrival provided them with immediate experience and potential. Arizona State was rebuilding under new head coach Kenny Dillingham, and McCord’s move was framed as an opportunity for him to re-establish himself as a starting quarterback and continue his development as a potential NFL prospect.

However, one of the most significant aspects of McCord’s transfer was the timing and the reasons behind it. In his interview, McCord addressed the speculation surrounding his departure, offering his perspective on why he made the move and what it meant for his relationship with Ryan Day, who had been an important part of his development at Ohio State.

Setting the Record Straight: McCord’s Thoughts on Ryan Day

One of the most interesting aspects of McCord’s comments was his discussion of Ryan Day. In the year following his departure from Ohio State, many had speculated that McCord’s transfer was in part due to a strained relationship with Day or dissatisfaction with the coaching staff. Some media outlets and fans even suggested that Day’s approach to coaching and the quarterback competition was a factor in McCord’s decision to leave.

However, McCord set the record straight during his interview, offering a more nuanced view of his time at Ohio State. He was quick to praise Ryan Day for his leadership, saying, “Coach Day is a great coach. He’s a great offensive mind, and he genuinely cares about his players. People can speculate all they want, but I have a lot of respect for him. The quarterback battle was intense, and I think both Devin [Brown] and I wanted to compete, but sometimes situations just don’t work out the way you expect. There’s no bad blood between us.”

McCord went on to explain that his decision to leave was not based on any personal issues with Day, but rather the reality of the situation—being part of an ongoing quarterback competition without a clear path to being the starting quarterback. “I had a lot of respect for Coach Day as a person and as a coach,” McCord added. “At the end of the day, he wants what’s best for his players, and he’s going to put the best guy on the field. For me, I just felt like I needed a fresh start. It wasn’t about anything that Coach Day did wrong, it was more about me trying to find the best opportunity for myself.”

McCord’s comments painted a picture of a mature and thoughtful young player who had put in the work at Ohio State but felt that the time had come for him to seek a new challenge. He acknowledged that the decision was difficult, given the expectations and the history of Ohio State football, but ultimately, he believed it was the right move for his career.

The Competitive Nature of Ohio State’s Quarterback Room

Another important point McCord addressed was the nature of the quarterback competition at Ohio State. The Buckeyes’ program is consistently loaded with top-tier talent, and the quarterback position is one of the most high-profile roles on the team. McCord discussed how the pressure of being in such a competitive environment shaped his experience at Ohio State.

“The quarterback room at Ohio State is filled with guys who have all the talent in the world,” McCord said. “Competing with guys like Devin Brown and others makes you a better player, but it can also be mentally exhausting. At the end of the day, I wanted to be in a place where I could get the reps I needed and be in a situation where I wasn’t constantly looking over my shoulder. It was a tough decision, but I think it was the best decision for me.”

This comment reflected the reality of being a quarterback at a program like Ohio State, where competition is fierce and the expectations are sky-high. McCord’s desire for a clearer path to playing time was understandable, and his decision to transfer to Arizona State was a logical step in his quest to further his career.

The Future for Kyle McCord

Now at Arizona State, McCord is poised to take on a leadership role and show that he can thrive as a starting quarterback in a new environment. The Sun Devils are looking to build a competitive program under Coach Dillingham, and McCord’s experience and ability will be a key asset for them moving forward.

As McCord continues his journey, it’s clear that his time at Ohio State—while filled with challenges and difficult decisions—helped shape him into the player he is today. His ability to reflect on those experiences and set the record straight regarding his relationship with Ryan Day is a testament to his maturity and professionalism.