Ryan Day named Will Howard the team’s Week 1 starter on Thursday, praising the Kansas State transfer for scoring significantly better in practice evaluations than OSU’s other four scholarship quarterbacks.

The Buckeyes have rotated quarterbacks in team practices since the spring, so Devin Brown, Howard, Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz and Air Noland have all gotten their share of reps in team competition. However, Howard, Brown and Sayin have taken the most reps with the starters early in training camp.

If the season started today, Brown would be the Buckeyes’ No. 2 quarterback on the list, according to Day. Brown was a major factor in the quarterback competition last year, too. Day revealed he actually thought Brown would start in Week 1 at this point in fall camp last year before Kyle McCord ultimately opted out late. Brown still appeared in six games in 2023, completing 16 of 28 passes for 217 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while adding 23 yards and a rushing touchdown on the ground.

“Devin has shown he can do just about anything we’ve asked of him,” Day said. “He just needs to be consistent and pay attention to the football to make sure he does a great job going forward. If he can do that, he can play and contribute. I reminded (all the quarterbacks) again that we all know the story of Cardale Jones, JT Barrett and Braxton Miller. I also told them that (former TCU quarterback) Max Duggan was used as a backup for the first few weeks of the year he was a Heisman finalist. A big part of being a quarterback is resilience and consistent work.”

But Day doesn’t have a permanent backup yet. He said he wants to continue competing and hopes to see the other four playmakers again in a practice game on Saturday. Considering Ohio State’s first three opponents this season are Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall, it seems plausible that the Buckeyes will play with multiple quarterbacks in all three games.

“Those guys are all going to keep working. Julian, Lincoln, Air, (Devin), they’re all going to compete,” Day said. “We’re going to try to get as many reps as we can. We’re still in three groups on the road right now, so there’s a lot of reps to get … We all know we’re going to need them on the road. We’re going to try to get them in the game as early in the season as we can.”

Sayin has been making waves since spring as a freshman and is likely Brown’s biggest competition for the Buckeyes’ backup quarterback position. Day said he has been impressed with Sayin’s development so far and he “certainly” remains an option for OSU’s backup quarterback position.

“He has an incredible ability to locate the ball,” Day said. “The ball comes out quick. His mind works quick. You all saw the talent. Julian has to keep getting more reps. We say when you go out there, you either remember what you’re doing or you learn what you’re doing.”

“He’s still learning out there a lot. He’s trying to figure it out, and it’s a little different than where he came from as far as the transition from high school to college. The faster he learns, the faster he’ll be on the field. He’s going to play a lot of football at Ohio State. When he’s on the field is up to him.”

Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly shared the Howard news with all five quarterbacks Thursday morning. While each quarterback with a last name other than Howard was a little disappointed not to be named a starter, Kelly said the camaraderie was palpable among the group.

“This wasn’t just one guy that was here and the rest just didn’t show up. They competed every day and I think it’s really great to be here,” Kelly said Thursday. “They all really care about each other. They’re happy for each other’s success. We talk about the word muditā, which means being vicariously happy for someone else’s success. That’s how they are. When another quarterback makes a play, these guys are all fired up.”

“I know every one of them wants to be the starting quarterback, but I know they’re not disappointed that it’s Will because they really care about him.”