In a surprising move mere hours after celebrating a national championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes, backup quarterback Devin Brown has signed with the University of California, Berkeley Golden Bears. The redshirt sophomore, who still has two years of eligibility remaining, is seeking an opportunity to start after sitting behind Heisman finalist Kyle McCord and transfer portal addition Will Howard in Columbus.
From Five-Star Recruit to Championship Backup
Brown arrived at Ohio State in 2022 as the nation’s No. 81 overall recruit and seemed poised for a bright future with the perennial powerhouse. However, he found himself in a heated battle with McCord for the starting role in 2023, ultimately losing out and serving as the primary backup.
Despite the disappointing outcome, Brown remained committed to the Buckeyes throughout their title run. He saw limited action in nine games this season, completing 56% of his passes for 331 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception while adding another score on the ground.
A Taste of the Spotlight
Brown’s lone start came in the Cotton Bowl Classic at the end of the 2023 season, filling in for an injured Howard. However, his moment in the sun was short-lived, as he exited early with an ankle injury in the Buckeyes’ 14-3 loss to Missouri.
“It was a tough situation, but I was grateful for the opportunity to lead the team, even if it didn’t end the way I had hoped. I learned a lot from that experience and it only fueled my desire to compete for a starting role.”
– Devin Brown on his Cotton Bowl start
A New Beginning in Berkeley
Now, Brown will have the chance to do just that with the Golden Bears. Cal is coming off a 6-7 season in their first year as an ACC member and is in need of a new starting quarterback after the transfer of Fernando Mendoza to Indiana.
Brown’s primary competition for the job will be incoming freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, a highly-touted recruit who briefly spent time at Oregon before flipping to Cal. With two years of eligibility remaining, Brown will have ample opportunity to leave his mark in Berkeley.
Buckeyes Bid Farewell to Talented Trio
For Ohio State, Brown’s departure marks the third quarterback to leave the program this offseason. In addition to Brown and Cotton Bowl starter Howard, freshman backup Air Noland has transferred to South Carolina.
This leaves the Buckeyes with former five-star recruit Julian Sayin as the presumptive favorite to lead the offense in their title defense next season. While the talent is undeniable, the lack of experienced depth could be a concern for Ryan Day’s squad.
A New Chapter Begins
As for Brown, the chance to start fresh at Cal represents an exciting opportunity to showcase his skills and potentially catch the eye of NFL scouts. If he can capitalize on this new beginning, the former top recruit could write a redemption story for the ages.
Only time will tell how this move will play out for both Brown and the Golden Bears, but one thing is certain – the college football landscape never fails to deliver surprises, even in the afterglow of a national championship.
