However, the Scarlet and Gray changed to a more pro-style approach with an emphasis on an outstanding passer after Ryan Day took over as offensive coordinator in 2017. The Buckeyes have had two seasons with top-10 running rankings in the five years since Day took over as head coach. Both of those had Justin Fields leading the attack, a dual-threat quarterback with a higher level of passing skill than either Barrett or Miller.

The quarterback run has gradually become less of an integral aspect of Ohio State’s offensive strategy over the last three seasons. The disparities in C.J. Stroud and Kyle McCord’s performances serve as examples of this change. The changing role of the quarterback in the team’s offensive scheme is highlighted by McCord, who concluded the season with negative rushing yards while suffering with an ankle ailment, and Stroud, who has few rushing yards.

Day understands the value of rushing the ball, even with his passers performing well. The Buckeyes have returned full circle this offseason with their dual-threat quarterbacks.

“One of the things we’ve got to do to win the last game of the year (against Michigan) is run the football,” Day stated in February. “And you want someone who at least needs to be counted on in the run game in order to accomplish that. “The angles, the numbers, the leverage, and everything else change if the opposing defense says, ‘Well, he’s not a threat to run at all.”

This offseason, there has been a discernible change in the Scarlet and Gray’s approach with the quarterbacks. Day signed former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard through the transfer channel after McCord made the decision to depart. Howard doesn’t see himself as a run-first quarterback, but he has the abilities to make opponents pay attention.

“I think his combination on the field of being able to extend plays with his feet, run in the run game, pull the ball, we’ve seen that happen before and then be accurate in the pocket throwing the ball, play action on the move,” Day said of Howard in the past month. “The defense was under pressure from all those things. In order to watch how those guys react, we’re attempting to place him in the most challenging scenarios we can think of, such as third down, third-and-long, second-and-long, and so on. That is clearly where the hard work is evident. You can see the ability and the experience.”

Although Howard seems to be the favorite to play the opening snap of the 2024 season, Ohio State did not decide on a quarterback right out of spring practice. However, the Kansas State transfer is not the only one who suggests that the signal caller will be more mobile going forward.

Devin Brown was employed as a red zone quarterback last season while he was healthy, taking McCord’s place in specific circumstances and rushing for 23 yards and a touchdown.Lincoln Kienholz demonstrated his mobility in little collegiate play while competing in three sports as a high school student in South Dakota. Julian Sayin and Air Noland, two incoming freshmen, both created plays with their legs in high school, and they showed glimpses of that ability in the Buckeyes’ spring game last month.

“As you can see, Air has three carries for a total of twenty-five yards. Devin is 3 out of 24. “I believe Lincoln had 16 yards of rushing,” Day remarked following the spring game. “So, as we all know, having a quarterback who can run does affect the numbers. Over the years, you guys have witnessed that.”

Day has always favored a quarterback who can throw the ball and take as few hits as possible, but because a dual-threat quarterback can maximize the possibilities of the offense, he has given in more to Meyer’s way of thinking. The numbers equal out to 11 on 11 instead of 10 on 11, and the defense has one more man to worry about when the quarterback can run the football.

When asked about getting ready for a dual-thread quarterback, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles responded, “I think it changes everything you do on defense.” “It’s evident everywhere, starting with the NFL. Your plan needs to be set up to counteract and accommodate a quarterback who can make plays with his feet. Thus, while you’re game planning, it alters the way you see everything.”

The Buckeye offense won’t be controlled by the quarterback run the way it did under Meyer. The Scarlet and Gray have perhaps the best running back tandem in the nation with TreVeyon Henderson back and Quinshon Judkins added, and both guys are hungry for carries. Day will continue to favor using Ohio State’s gifted core of wide receivers.

However, in order to reclaim the top spot in the Big Ten and win a national championship, the Buckeyes plan to make the most of their offensive capabilities. Day is more receptive to the notion of employing the quarterback run in order to accomplish this.

“It’s going to be a weapon for us this year,” Day stated, “because all of our quarterbacks are athletic enough to do that.”