Ryan Day said Tuesday that Brown will be Ohio State’s second quarterback behind Will Howard in the Buckeyes’ season opener Saturday against Akron.

Day had said on Aug. 15, the day he named Howard the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback, that Brown would be the backup quarterback if the season began that day. However, Day left open the possibility at the time that freshman quarterback Julian Sayin could still get the backup quarterback job, saying he “certainly” remained in the running for the position.

If all goes according to plan in Saturday’s season opener – a game the Buckeyes are expected to win by 50 points – Ohio State should have the opportunity to bring both Brown and Sayin into the game for some second-half action once Howard and the first team offense have built a comfortable lead.

Brown, a third-year Buckeye, spent most of the preseason competing with Howard for the starting quarterback spot after earning his first career start in the Cotton Bowl to conclude the 2023 season. However, he will begin 2024 in the same spot in the rankings where he spent most of the 2023 season as the backup to Kyle McCord.

Despite losing out to Howard, who was always considered the favorite for the quarterback position this season after starting 28 games over the past four years at Kansas State, Brown earned praise from Ryan Day for his development in his third offseason in Columbus.

“Devin has shown he can do virtually anything we’ve asked of him,” Day said on Aug. 15. “He just needs to be consistent and take care of the football to make sure he does a great job going forward. If he can do that, he can play and contribute.”