Herding cats has nothing on trying to keep a quarterback room full.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has seen a flurry of quarterback activity in his nearly two-and-a-half years at Ohio State.
In fact, there have been 15 quarterbacks in that span who have either played for OSU, committed to the Buckeyes, or decommitted since Day’s arrival.
And yet, despite all of that action, one week ago Ohio State was down to just two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster — both of whom were transfers.
Day has salvaged the present-day situation while also building a strong future. It hasn’t been easy and it has rarely been quiet.
To show you just how hectic and harried Ryan Day’s time at Ohio State has been when it comes to the quarterback position, we have put this nifty timeline together for you to enjoy.
Dec. 31, 2016
Ohio State loses 31-0 to Clemson in the 2016 College Football Playoffs. After the game, head coach Urban Meyer says, “Ohio State is not used to this. I’m not used to this, and we will not get used to this. That’s not going to happen again. So we’ll get things worked out.”
Jan. 3, 2017
Ryan Day is hired as co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Jan. 12, 2017
Tate Martell enrolls at Ohio State.
Aug. 21, 2017
Joe Burrow breaks his hand in practice during fall camp, giving clearance for Dwayne Haskins to be JT Barrett’s backup.
Sept. 9, 2017
Ohio State gets beat at home by Oklahoma. Five-star recruit Micah Parsons tweets that Dwayne Haskins should be starting instead of JT Barrett.
Sept. 11, 2017
Two days after Oklahoma’s 31-16 win over Ohio State, 5-star offensive line recruit Jackson Carman tweets that Dwayne Haskins should be starting.
Nov. 12, 2017
Even though Ohio State has a commitment from 2018 4-star quarterback Emory Jones, they go ahead and offer 2018 quarterback Matthew Baldwin, who is currently committed to Colorado State.
Nov. 25, 2017
Prior to the Michigan game, JT Barrett is warming up on the sideline and has his knee Gillooly’d by a camera man. He plays the first three quarters of the game with a knee that won’t stay put.
Nov. 25, 2017
Dwayne Haskins steps in against Michigan when JT Barrett goes down and leads the Buckeyes to a win over the Wolverines.
Dec. 2, 2017
Following Ohio State’s Big Ten Championship Game victory over Wisconsin, Joe Burrow talks to reporters about the possibility of transferring.
Dec. 7, 2017
Ohio State gets a commitment from 2018 quarterback recruit Matthew Baldwin.
Dec. 20, 2017
2018 quarterback commit Emory Jones decommits from Ohio State and signs with Florida.
Dec. 29, 2017
JT Barrett plays in his final game as a Buckeye. Ohio State defeats USC 24-7 in the Cotton Bowl.
April 6, 2018
Danny Vanatsky commits to Ohio State as a preferred walk-on.
May 8, 2018
Joe Burrow announces he’s transferring from Ohio State.
May 19, 2018
Joe Burrow ends up at LSU.
June 24, 2018
Following a surprise visit to Friday Night Lights, 2019 Michigan State quarterback commit Dwan Mathis commits to Ohio State.
July 1, 2018
Ohio State gets a commitment from 4-star 2020 quarterback Jack Miller out of Arizona.
Aug. 25, 2018
West Virginia graduate quarterback Chris Chugunov transfers to Ohio State.
Dec. 4, 2018
Ryan Day is announced as OSU’s next head coach.
Dec. 19, 2018
With rumors swirling that Georgia quarterback Justin Fields could be headed to Ohio State, Dwan Mathis decommits from the Buckeyes and signs with Georgia.
Dec. 30, 2018
Speaking at Rose Bowl Media Day, Tate Martell is asked about the Justin Fields rumors and says he’s “100% sure” he (Martell) will start in 2019.
Jan. 4, 2019
Justin Fields transfers to Ohio State.
Jan. 7, 2019
Dwayne Haskins enters the NFL Draft.
Jan. 10, 2019
Tate Martell enters the transfer portal.
Jan. 16, 2019
Tate Martell transfers to Miami.
Jan. 17, 2019
Ohio State walk-on quarterback Kory Curtis transfers to Bryant University.
Feb. 8, 2019
Justin Fields is ruled immediately eligible for the Buckeyes in 2019.
April 18, 2019
Matthew Baldwin enters the transfer portal.
April 23, 2019
Kentucky graduate quarterback Gunnar Hoak enters the transfer portal.
April 26, 2019
California 3-star quarterback JP Andrade commits to Ohio State as a preferred walk-on.
April 27, 2019
Gunnar Hoak announces intention to transfer to Ohio State following his graduation.
April 30, 2019
Ohio State lands a commitment from 4-star 2021 quarterback Kyle McCord.
May 1, 2019
Nothing yet, but it’s still early.
Love the Gillooly reference.
The transfer portal in its current form is pure madness. The NCAA will tweak it in some way to allow some student athlete flexibility but still protect the schools.
The simple reality is that OSU will be a magnet for top notch QB’s, especially after a first year starter goes high in the NFL draft. Just like most elite programs, they will be overloaded with talented QB’s and many realize they won’t see the field and will look for greener pasture elsewhere, hence Tate, Joey and now Matthew. The transfer Portal will become a who’s who of who’s coming and going. With the new paradigm, stack your program with as many as you can. The great thing is that we have a terrific coach to guide them.
Holy crunsky. That’s insane.
Indeed it is, Mr. Ed. Indeed it is!