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.”