Who is Kyle McCord? Meet Ohio State football's 2023 starting quarterback
Kyle McCord will take Ohio State's first offensive snaps at quarterback against Indiana.
After two seasons as C.J. Stroud's backup, the junior quarterback was named as the Buckeyes' starter for their season opener against the Hoosiers at 3:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS. McCord beat out redshirt freshman Devin Brown for the first-team reps, while coach Ryan Day said both will take snaps in the first game of the 2023 season.
Here's what you need to know about McCord and his journey to becoming Ohio State's starting quarterback.
Kyle McCord is one of five top-10 quarterbacks to sign with Ohio State since 2017
McCord is just one of many Ohio State quarterback recruiting wins since Day's promotion from offensive coordinator to head coach
McCord was ranked as the No. 6 quarterback and the No. 28 player in the 2021 class, joining the Buckeyes as one of six five-star quarterbacks in the country, a list that includes Ohio State-turned-Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
Since 2017, Ohio State has landed five top-10 quarterbacks: Tate Martell in 2017, Stroud in 2020, Ewers and McCord in 2021 and Brown in 2022.
Ohio State also has a commitment from 2024 five-star quarterback Air Noland and 2025 quarterback Tavien St. Clair who is listed as the No. 9 quarterback in the class per 247Sports' composite rankings.
Kyle McCord has one start in his Ohio State career
While McCord is one of two five-star quarterbacks Ohio State has signed since Day's arrival, he has not had much playing time in a Buckeye uniform.
Per Pro Football Focus, McCord has played in 162 snaps in 12 games, making one start for Ohio State against Akron as a freshman in 2021.
In his one start against the Zips, McCord had 319 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, completing 13 of his 18 pass attempts. In his 11 other appearances for Ohio State, McCord has completed 28 of his 40 pass attempts for 287 yards with a touchdown pass and an interception.
Kyle McCord played high school football with Marvin Harrison Jr.
McCord went to Ohio State already having experience with one of the Buckeyes' receivers.
McCord and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. each attended St. Joseph's Prep in Philadelphia, teaming up for three-straight Pennsylvania 6A state titles.
With St. Josephs, Harrison, who was the No. 14 wide receiver and No. 97 player in the 2021 class, brought in 2,625 receiving yards and 37 touchdowns: each Philadelphia Catholic League records.
In an Ohio State uniform, McCord has connected with Harrison twice for 34 yards, each coming in the Buckeyes' 54-7 win against Indiana in 2021.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State QB Kyle McCord: What you need to know ahead of 2023 season
