QB Kyle McCord (transfer to Syracuse)

[ScriptOhio]

OVERALL EVALUATION​

McCord’s three deep completions outside the numbers demonstrated his arm talent to throw the ball to all areas of the field, but that was never in question. He’d already shown that ability in his two previous spring games, but there were examples again on Saturday of the arm strength and deep accuracy that made him a five-star recruit in the class of 2021.

The second row of McCord’s passing chart is one that stands out in a bad way, as he did not complete any of his six passes thrown 10-19 yards downfield. Two of those incompletions were drops while another was a throwaway, but nevertheless, Ohio State will need him to be more effective as an intermediate passer if he is to be its starting quarterback this season.

Nearly two-thirds of McCord’s passing attempts came within nine yards of the line of scrimmage, which is indicative of the pass-protection issues Ohio State had in Saturday’s spring game. Some of the short passes were designed quick throws, but others came as McCord was forced to check down due to pressure in the pocket or no one getting open downfield.

While it’s impossible to truly evaluate a quarterback’s running ability in a spring-game setting where touching the quarterback constitutes a tackle, McCord showed some ability to extend plays with his legs, which the quarterback will have to be able to do if pass protection issues continue into the fall. The numbers weren’t great – he completed two of five passes for 13 yards on the run (though two were throwaways) and gained 12 net yards on six running plays (excluding sacks) – but he looked comfortable keeping his eyes downfield under pressure and taking off out of the pocket when there was room to run.

The three near-interceptions were the most glaring negative from McCord’s spring game and one that can’t be a recurring issue if McCord is to successfully lead the Ohio State offense. While the Buckeyes don’t need their next starting quarterback to be a Stroud-level passer right away, they do need their quarterback to avoid costly turnovers that can come from putting the ball in harm’s way.

Counting the drops as completions and eliminating the throwaways from his stat line, McCord would have completed 21 of his 30 passing attempts for approximately 220 yards and two touchdowns, which makes his final numbers look significantly more aesthetic. Of course, that stat line could have also included two or three interceptions, which would have made it look worse.

McCord neither won nor lost the starting quarterback job on Saturday, and Day’s track record of developing quarterbacks is reason enough for Ohio State fans to be hopeful about what either McCord or Brown can become. But McCord’s up-and-down performance this spring, both in the spring game and in other practices the media was able to watch, showed that McCord still has a long way to go before he can be anointed as Ohio State’s next Heisman-contending signal-caller.

 

[RB07OSU]

Bobby Carpenter said on The Podcast today that when he first showed up, Fields was spraying passes all over and missing wide open receivers against air.

If there's one position I expect they'll work out, it's QB. And WR

There was a lot to like for Kyle's performance imo. Our offense in the spring game is about as exotic as tapioca pudding and with the touch rule, guys like McCord are not going to really show what they are made of. We saw the arm strength of a 5* QB on many throws, his ball placement was good overall, and he threw it away when he needed to.

And to your point @Abenaki , we never have to worry much about QB and WR...in particular for this year, with the WRs we have I think even Joe Bauserman or Steve Bellisari could thrive in this offense. I jest but if the OL can protect halfway decent, Kyle could have a very nice season, although I do think we will be a bit more run heavy to start the year.

 

[Gunlife]

My take away. This guy's much more of a gunslinger than Stroud. Expect alot more picks, and a lot more spectacular plays from the recievers. Will be fun to watch!

 

[Jake]

I never see BP on MBG. It's always Bucknuts. Dude knows where to find his material.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

My take away. This guy's much more of a gunslinger than Stroud. Expect alot more picks, and a lot more spectacular plays from the recievers. Will be fun to watch!

I feel like gunslinger is usually just a nice way of saying a guy throws a lot of picks. Stroud was a gunslinger if you look at his throws. He just has an ELITE arm and was able to complete most of those risky tight window passes

 

[Captain Buckeye]

What I liked was how Kyle was placing the ball. Without looking and researching, I dont recall a pass where he really blew it. He was absolutely perfect on his swing pass which a lot of guys screw up. He also hung in there till the last second and completed that deep over to Marv with JT beating down on him.

His reading will get better with more live reps and if the line improves how I think we will, he'll be more than OK in games.

He missed a few long out routes but otherwise did as well as he could considering.

We just need to put this in perspective for Kyle. He had an OL that likely isn't settled and had only 15 practices with lots of rotation. Then he was missing Egbuka, Fleming, Johnson, Henderson, and only had Harrison for a short time (which go figure was the only drive he looked outstanding on). Then you add all that to the fact that this should be one of the best defensive lines in the country vs a developing unit and its sort of a miracle he did as well as he did. Finally, how many short 1-2 yard runs were blown dead that would've gone for 6+ yards (I can think of a few) which would've avoided 2nd or 3rd and long?

Kyle had every reason to not show well at all and still did just OK. Considering the circumstances it was a pretty good showing.

 

[scarletngray]

All things considered, McCord did a good job in the Spring game.

 

[Captain Buckeye]

Also rewatched the spring game. The tackles I thought played pretty well actually. Surprisingly up the middle was where all the pressure came from. Michael Hall just was unblockable and Tyliek also forced issues too. Jackson's sack for example was all the result of pressure right up the middle.

I don't think there's a better DT duo in college ball next year and that really put pressure in the QBs face fast last week. Not to mention we will never face a DL like ours all year and that includes ttun.

 

[Gunlife]

I feel like gunslinger is usually just a nice way of saying a guy throws a lot of picks. Stroud was a gunslinger if you look at his throws. He just has an ELITE arm and was able to complete most of those risky tight window passes

You're not wrong. Stroud obviously has an Elite arm. But I feel like he didn't give his Elite recievers a chance in man coverage enough last year. He used to throw it up to Wilson and let him go get it, but last year held on to the ball a lot more. I expect Harrison and crew will be given countless opportunities to go prove they are just flat out better than the DBs this year.

But a Brett Farve style player is what I am seeing, and that means some picks will be thrown. Just hope he gets them out of the way early. Because if they lose The Game this year Day will have trouble going forward.

 

[pnuts34]

He missed a few long out routes but otherwise did as well as he could considering.

We just need to put this in perspective for Kyle. He had an OL that likely isn't settled and had only 15 practices with lots of rotation. Then he was missing Egbuka, Fleming, Johnson, Henderson, and only had Harrison for a short time (which go figure was the only drive he looked outstanding on). Then you add all that to the fact that this should be one of the best defensive lines in the country vs a developing unit and its sort of a miracle he did as well as he did. Finally, how many short 1-2 yard runs were blown dead that would've gone for 6+ yards (I can think of a few) which would've avoided 2nd or 3rd and long?

Kyle had every reason to not show well at all and still did just OK. Considering the circumstances it was a pretty good showing.

Another point to add, is that I believe OSU will have one of the best CB rotations in the country, and a very solid S group and that also showed. And they were playing against all backups, except a Harrison in the slot for a short time. Tate and Ballard played the bulk of what I saw at WR with Antwi, Brown and Grayes following. Ballard was the only WR to see actual game reps at WR last year for the most part, and he didn’t play much. And they were facing Burke, Brown, DI, Hancock and Jermaine Matthews. 4 players with starting experience and a high level true frosh, who had the benefit of playing behind one of the best DL.

We should be giving McCord much more grace considering his circumstances in the spring game. I had tokeep explaining that to my buddies who went to the spring game with me. We won’t fully know how good this offense will be until after ND, imo

 

[Captain Buckeye]

Another point to add, is that I believe OSU will have one of the best CB rotations in the country, and a very solid S group and that also showed. And they were playing against all backups, except a Harrison in the slot for a short time. Tate and Ballard played the bulk of what I saw at WR with Antwi, Brown and Grayes following. Ballard was the only WR to see actual game reps at WR last year for the most part, and he didn’t play much. And they were facing Burke, Brown, DI, Hancock and Jermaine Matthews. 4 players with starting experience and a high level true frosh, who had the benefit of playing behind one of the best DL.

We should be giving McCord much more grace considering his circumstances in the spring game. I had tokeep explaining that to my buddies who went to the spring game with me. We won’t fully know how good this offense will be until after ND, imo

I agree. I left out mentioning the secondary because I'm cautiously optimistic. For example I want to see the best players play and I want to see consistency particularly from Ransom, Proctor and Martinez before I get too high on them.

Overall this defense is just loaded. IMO we have the best DL, the best LBS and the best corners in the big ten. I want to see something from those safeties but overall this defense should be nasty and honestly could rival 2019 if the safety play is great.

Regardless the offense had less experience in this spring game and there's an awful lot of QBs In this upcoming season who will struggle far worse vs our defense.

 

[GovTressel]

His long, awkward release is my biggest concern.

 

[Buckeye86]

His long, awkward release is my biggest concern.

I have also never been impressed with his mechanics—it seems like he throws off his back foot, as well.

Here’s hoping for the best.

 

[RB07OSU]

I have also never been impressed with his mechanics—it seems like he throws off his back foot, as well.

Here’s hoping for the best.

You're not wrong on mechanics and an extended release. But those are things that usually improve with actual gameplay and experience (mind you with a good QB of course in terms of improvement).

I could rattle off many examples but to me the easiest is Joe Burrow. Routinely threw from his back foot and took too long to make decisions when he was in Cbus...and did so until his senior year at LSU. Then again in his rookie season in Cincy. And again until like Game 5 this season. And he is at least a top five QB in the league and still had those issues. Point is if the arm talent and live-game acumen is there, then it will come together.

I don't have McCord in my theoretical bachelor party nor any real allegiance to the guy personally. I have just watched his HS film and he is a damned good QB, and he threw to our best WR back in HS. So that is really my underpinnings here. If Devin Brown is better, then put him in.

But no matter who plays the first snap, they are going to need some plays to adjust and work on their chemistry in live games. CJ was awful to start (witnessed it live in Minneapolis) but found his way over the season. I think we will see a similar tale here with McCord, knock on wood. Kid has all the talent to make it happen, I just hope fans don't panic on him early.

 

[Jaxbuck]

CJ was awful to start (witnessed it live in Minneapolis) but found his way over the season. I think we will see a similar tale here with McCord, knock on wood. Kid has all the talent to make it happen, I just hope fans don't panic on him early.

He's also the guy who's going to pay the price for Studwara's inconsistent recruiting and be starting out behind a line a far step below what Stroud had in front of him.

A mediocre OL and a new QB is just lethal. I don't care how good the skill players are.