Eric Boggs
Former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord recently sat down with Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden to break down his college tape on Gruden’s QB Class, sparking a heated wave of criticism from Ohio State fans, including a passionate take from The OHIO Podcast. While much of the episode focused on McCord’s season at Syracuse following his transfer, Gruden made sure to revisit his 2023 campaign with the Buckeyes, particularly the Ohio State vs. Michigan game—McCord’s final start as a Buckeye.
Gruden began the review by diving into McCord’s two interceptions in that game, attempting to take the pressure off the quarterback. On the first pick, Gruden disagreed with the RPO call and defended McCord’s decision to read the linebacker, suggesting Marvin Harrison Jr. ran the wrong route by not crossing the defender’s face. McCord agreed with Gruden, reinforcing the claim that the miscue was on Harrison. But that narrative quickly raised eyebrows, especially among Buckeye fans. Gruden failed to acknowledge Michigan corner Will Johnson’s inside leverage and the lack of time Harrison had to make a move at the line. In reality, McCord missed the pre-snap read and should’ve gone with a back-shoulder throw, a point McCord vaguely conceded when he said Harrison expected it on his body. Still, McCord let the conversation lean heavily on Harrison’s mistake without defending his former teammate—a move viewed by many as lacking accountability and leadership.
The second interception received far less scrutiny from Gruden, who blamed protection and play calling instead. Yet again, McCord’s role in the breakdown was largely glossed over. The pattern of avoiding responsibility didn’t sit well with many, especially given that Harrison had bailed McCord out on numerous occasions, including on the game-winning drive at Notre Dame, where a diving catch by Harrison saved a near-disastrous throw.
Gruden’s praise of McCord’s poise and understanding clashed with what many saw on the field during McCord’s time at Ohio State. His 11-1 record as a starter may look good on paper, but Buckeye fans—many of whom voiced their opinions loudly through platforms like The OHIO Podcast—saw a quarterback who was carried by elite talent rather than elevating it. According to the podcast, McCord’s departure from Ohio State was less about performance and more about entitlement. It’s been widely reported that McCord and his father, Derek, approached head coach Ryan Day for a guarantee that Kyle would start in the 2024 season and in the upcoming bowl game. Day refused, expecting McCord to compete—something he wasn’t willing to do. Instead of fighting for the job, McCord entered the transfer portal before the bowl game, eventually landing at Syracuse.
This decision, compounded by McCord’s body language during tough games—particularly after his first interception against Michigan where he appeared disengaged on the sidelines—only strengthened the view that McCord lacked the intangibles required of an Ohio State quarterback. The OHIO Podcast host didn’t hold back, calling McCord “soft” for leaving when things didn’t go his way and criticizing his lack of growth and leadership over three years with the program. The host contrasted McCord sharply with Will Howard, who transferred in and, in a short time, earned the team’s respect and led Ohio State to a national championship.
What truly irked fans, though, was McCord’s comment about being “happy” for Ohio State after his departure—something podcast host and fans alike called disingenuous. The host referenced a snide tweet McCord posted after Ohio State’s loss to Michigan and emphasized that real leaders don’t throw teammates under the bus, as McCord allowed Gruden to do to Harrison. The quarterback position at Ohio State has always demanded more than stats—it requires poise, maturity, and accountability, qualities many fans believe McCord never developed. Despite McCord’s statistically productive year at Syracuse, concerns about his readiness for the NFL remain, especially given his struggles under pressure and his tendency to deflect blame.
While Harrison Jr. was drafted fourth overall by the Arizona Cardinals, McCord is currently projected as a Day 3 pick and trails behind former Buckeyes like Quinn Ewers and Will Howard in most draft rankings. In the end, the narrative surrounding McCord has become less about his talent and more about what he lacked when it mattered most—leadership, humility, and the ability to take responsibility.
