Why a quarterback in the transfer portal is with Ohio State football at the Rose Bowl

Posted by Admin December 31, 2024 Football

Spread the love

LOS ANGELES — Devin Brown is a signature away from joining a new team. He’s also an injury away from being Ohio State football’s quarterback in Wednesday’s Rose Bowl vs. Oregon.

That’s life for the Buckeyes’ backup quarterback as he balances College Football Playoff preparations while his name is in the transfer portal – something Brown says isn’t much trouble.

“It’s definitely been a decent amount of calls and things I’ve had to make, but I’ve really been able to kind of put it to the side,” Brown told cleveland.com on Monday. “These coaches have been very accommodating with that and very understanding. Most of them have really respected my decision to stay, so they’ve helped me work around that.”

Brown announced his intent to enter the portal on Dec. 8, which usually features a departure from the team – which is what Ohio State freshman quarterback Air Noland did this month.

However, Brown elected to stay put and serve his role as Will Howard’s backup through the postseason.

His commitment to Ohio State has been evident in his refusal to take visits during CFP preparations.

“I said when I came back after (last year’s) Cotton Bowl that I was going to stick with this team and go help win a national championship,” Brown said. “Whether I’m the first string, whether I’m a backup, whether I’m not even close to playing at all – I said I was going to do what I was going to do. As a leader on this team, I’ve got to stick to my word.”

Social media rumors surfaced around Christmas suggesting Brown was committed to the University of California. He promptly took to X (formerly Twitter) to dispel those narratives.

Brown said his dad and agent have handled most of the transfer portal attention while he continues to work in his role for the Buckeyes.

His eventual departure will mark the end of a three-year career at Ohio State that hasn’t panned out as envisioned.

Brown was beat out by Kyle McCord in last year’s competition for the starting job. After McCord departed for the portal before last season’s Cotton Bowl, Brown got a chance to prove his worth.

However, Brown was injured early in that bowl loss against Missouri. Ohio State then went into the portal and got Howard from Kansas State.

Brown was beat out by Howard in this year’s starting competition.

“There’s been a lot of ups and downs, but that’s just college football,” Brown said. “It never works out the way that anybody really expects it to.”

He’ll have a chance to add to an impressive lineage when Ohio State’s season ends.

The Buckeyes have seen quarterbacks transfer out and have success. The list includes Joe Burrow at LSU, Quinn Ewers at Texas and McCord at Syracuse.

They’ve set a high bar Brown hopes to reach.

“The football education you get here is second to none,” Brown said. “It’s been incredibly influential to me and helpful to me.”