The Ohio State Buckeyes lost starting quarterback Kyle McCord to the transfer portal after the team’s heartbreaking loss to rival Michigan.
McCord threw two interceptions versus the Wolverines, including a last-minute interception that sealed the game. The Buckeyes were driving with a chance to win prior to the interception.
Fans were outraged with McCord following what was a decent season for the first-year starter. In 2023, the junior threw for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 66% of his passes. McCord’s efforts were enough to earn Third Team All-Big Ten honors.
Kyle McCord announced his transfer on social media. https://x.com/kylemccord16/status/1731690165616181423?s=20
Ohio State Linked to Quarterback Transfers
Ohio State was linked to several quarterbacks in the transfer portal including Cameron Ward and Riley Leonard.
Fast forward to this week, the Buckeyes missed out on Riley Leonard when he committed to Notre Dame. https://x.com/n1cksabanson/status/1734629224625938619?s=20
Reports are now coming out of former Washington State quarterback Cameron Ward narrowing his options to the University of Miami, Florida State University, or the NFL Draft. https://x.com/On3sports/status/1735041225651040326?s=20
Options still exist for Ohio State within the portal, as Texas quarterback Maalik Murphy announced his entrance into the transfer portal yesterday afternoon. Murphy saw limited action as a Longhorn. The 6’5 quarterback threw for 477 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions in 2023.
Murphy announced his decision in wake of reports stating that starter Quinn Ewers will remain at Texas. Arch Manning has also indicated he would remain at Texas, leaving Murphy as the odd man out in a loaded quarterback room.
Buckeyes Existing Options at Quarterback
Ohio State has two highly touted recruits ready for an opportunity with Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz.
Devin Brown was in the race for the Buckeyes’ starting job until the very end before being beaten out by Kyle McCord.
Lincoln Kienholz is a former four-star prospect with high rushing upside. Kienholz rushed for over 1,200 yards in his senior season of high school.
The Buckeyes also hold commitments from four-star quarterbacks in the 2024 and 2025 classes.
Air Noland is the sixth-ranked quarterback prospect in the 2024 class according to 247Sports. Tavien St. Clair is a highly-touted prospect ranked 12th nationally in the 2025 rankings.
Ryan Day was looking for some veteran leadership at the quarterback position for his Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State will need to act quickly if they want to land a transfer quarterback.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had poor luck with transfers this year, seeing a number of contributing players move on from the program. Ohio State has solid options at quarterback already and could elect to roll with Devin Brown or Lincoln Kienholz. One thing is certain, and that is that the Buckeyes’ race for a quarterback will be one to keep an eye on.
