Look at Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord's raw numbers in 2023, and you're likely to see a successful profile: 3,170 passing yards and 24 touchdowns against six interceptions for a team that went 11–1 and reached the Cotton Bowl.
However, Buckeyes fans couldn't quite shake the feeling that there was something missing in his game this season—even as he ranked statistically among the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten.
McCord entered the transfer portal Wednesday morning. The move surprised many, including a man rarely surprised by Ohio State-related news: former Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer.
“That made no sense. I’m still trying to comprehend it. I tried to take a position of Kyle or even Ohio State, and it just doesn’t compute," Meyer said on Urban's Take, his show on On3 with longtime Buckeyes beat writer Tim May.
Meyer pointed to McCord's heroism during Ohio State's last-second win at Notre Dame on Sept. 23, and his mostly solid play during the Buckeyes' 30–24 loss to Michigan on Nov. 25.
However, Ohio State coach Ryan Day declined to commit to McCord as his starter going forward as the Buckeyes gear up for the Cotton Bowl against Missouri on Dec. 29.
"There’s no place better for Kyle than Ohio State. That place does not exist, unless he’s being guaranteed a starting spot," Meyer said. "It does not compute with me. I guess I love Ohio State, and I think competition brings out the best in you."
