If you spent any time on message boards in August, you know the drill. Everyone had a "source" in Columbus saying the Ohio State quarterbacks 2024 room was a disaster. People were panicking. They said Will Howard couldn't throw the deep ball and that Devin Brown was already looking at the portal.
Fast forward to January, and the Buckeyes were hoisting a trophy.
Funny how that works. Honestly, the 2024 season wasn't just about finding a starter; it was about Ryan Day finally embracing the "win-now" portal era. It was messy, then it was clinical, and by the end, it was historic. Let’s cut through the fluff and look at what actually happened in that meeting room.
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Will Howard: The Transfer That Saved the Season
Will Howard didn't arrive in Columbus with the same hype as a C.J. Stroud or a Justin Fields. He was a "floor" guy. A "bridge." Or at least, that’s what the skeptics called him after he left Kansas State.
He proved basically everyone wrong.
Howard didn't just manage the game; he shattered the school record for completion percentage, hitting 73% of his passes. Think about that. Nearly three out of every four passes he threw found a Buckeye. He finished the year with 4,010 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. But stats only tell half the story.
The real magic was his composure. Remember the Penn State game? No. 4 Ohio State in a white-out environment, and Howard just stayed cool. He didn't blink. He led them to a 20-13 win that changed the trajectory of the entire season.
Why he actually worked
People forget Howard is 6'4" and 235 pounds. He wasn't just a statue. He added seven rushing touchdowns and converted dozens of third downs with his legs when the pocket collapsed. He wasn't the fastest guy on the field, but he was a "big-bodied" problem for Big Ten linebackers.
By the time the College Football Playoff rolled around, Howard was playing at an elite level. In the four-game championship run, he completed 75.2% of his passes. He was the Offensive MVP in both the Cotton Bowl win over Texas and the National Championship win against Notre Dame.
He didn't just bridge a gap. He built a highway to a title.
The Julian Sayin Hype Was Real (Even if He Sat)
While Howard was busy winning a ring, everyone was staring at the sidelines. Why? Because Julian Sayin might be the most talented pure passer to ever walk into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
The kid is a "processor." That’s the word the coaches kept using.
Sayin's path to Columbus was wild. He signed with Alabama, Nick Saban retired, and two days later, he was a Buckeye. In 2024, he was technically the third-stringer, but he was the "break glass in case of emergency" option. He only played 27 snaps as a true freshman, completing five passes for 84 yards.
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But if you watched him in the 2025 spring drills or saw the flashes in the Western Michigan game, you saw it. The quick release. The way he doesn't stick on his first read.
"Julian really thinks very, very quickly on his feet," Ryan Day said during the season. "He doesn't stick on reads."
It’s rare to see a freshman with that kind of "eyes-up" mentality. Most kids are just trying not to get hit. Sayin was already looking at the backside safety.
What Happened to Devin Brown?
Look, it’s tough to be Devin Brown. You wait your turn, you battle Kyle McCord, you get hurt in the 18th snap of the 2023 Cotton Bowl, and then the team brings in a high-profile transfer and a five-star freshman.
Brown entered the portal in December 2024.
He stayed through the playoff run—which says a lot about his character—but eventually, he realized the writing was on the wall. He’s a Cal Golden Bear now. In his limited 2024 action, he was actually pretty good. He completed 11 of 20 passes for 114 yards and a score.
The problem wasn't his talent. It was the "fit." In Chip Kelly’s offense, they needed the hyper-efficient decision-making of Howard or the pure upside of Sayin. Brown was sort of the odd man out in a room that became too crowded, too fast.
The Hidden Depth: Air Noland and Lincoln Kienholz
We also can't ignore the rest of the Ohio State quarterbacks 2024 roster.
- Air Noland: A lefty with a cannon. He stayed put despite Sayin’s arrival, which surprised some people. He spent the year redshirting and learning the system.
- Lincoln Kienholz: The South Dakota legend. He’s the ultimate "athlete" in the room. There was talk of using him in "running packages" similar to how they used to use Taysom Hill, but with Howard playing so well, they didn't need to risk it.
The Verdict on 2024
Most "experts" predicted a drop-off after McCord left. They were wrong. The Buckeyes actually became more efficient.
Howard's 175.3 passer rating was third in the nation. The offense went from being "clunky" in 2023 to being a juggernaut that averaged over 40 points in the playoffs.
If you're looking for the "secret sauce," it was the combination of Howard's veteran leadership and the emergence of Jeremiah Smith at receiver. You've got to have a guy who can get the ball to the playmakers, and Howard was that guy.
Actionable Takeaways for Buckeyes Fans
- Watch the 2025 Heisman odds: Julian Sayin is the projected starter for 2025, and he’s already being touted as a top-five candidate.
- Check the transfer portal trends: Ohio State has officially moved to a "portal-heavy" QB strategy. Expect them to take a veteran every year unless a young star like Sayin is a lock.
- Value efficiency over arm talent: The 2024 season proved that a 73% completion rate beats a 60-yard highlight reel every single time.
The 2024 season wasn't just a championship year; it was a masterclass in roster management. Will Howard came in, did the job, and left as a legend. Now, the keys belong to the next generation.
Next Steps: You should keep an eye on the 2025 spring game to see how Air Noland and Julian Sayin split first-team reps, as that will determine if the Buckeyes stay with a youth movement or look for another veteran "bridge" in the spring portal window.