The quarterback position is often considered the most important position on a football team. The quarterback is the general of the offense and is of great importance to the overall success of the team. A good or bad quarterback can determine the success or failure of a season.
Ohio has had some good quarterbacks in recent seasons, so let’s take a look at what the position looks like in 2024.
Who is gone
One of the biggest shocks of the offseason for Ohio was the news that longtime Bobcat Kurtis Rourke was entering the transfer portal. Rourke had a very successful career in Ohio, putting up big numbers as a quarterback for the Bobcats. Last season, he had a solid year with 2,207 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. However, 2022 was his best year in Ohio; he was named Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year and overall Player of the Year after rushing for 3,257 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions before suffering a season-ending injury.
He was unable to play in the 2022 MAC title game or the Arizona Bowl, a game Ohio won thanks to the departure of another quarterback, CJ Harris. Harris was a very reliable backup for Ohio, leading the team to an Arizona Bowl win over Wyoming after rushing for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns. He did not play much in 2023, and transferred to Cal in the offseason.
Who is back
Ohio returns a trio of quarterbacks in 2024, starting with the most notable, Parker Navarro. The graduate student and former UCF quarterback will play quarterback for Ohio in 2024. He returns after a great performance in Ohio’s Myrtle Beach Bowl win over Georgia Southern. Navarro had 120 yards and 1 touchdown through the air and added 71 yards on the ground.
He is joined by redshirt freshman Jacob Winters and redshirt sophomore Callum Wither. Neither quarterback has any stats to show for their respective careers at Ohio State, with Wither yet to play a game and Winters playing a game in 2023. Both players will compete for the backup spot this season.
Who is new
Matthew Papas is the only freshman in Ohio’s quarterback room this season. He comes from Grove City High School. In his senior year, he threw for 3,319 passing yards and scored 41 total touchdowns.
In addition, Ohio signed a quarterback through the transfer portal this season: Nick Poulos from El Camino College. Poulos will enter as a redshirt junior and compete with Wither and Winters for the primary backup spot.
Situation outlook
The impact of losing Rourke and Harris in the quarterback room cannot be overstated, as Ohio lost two experienced starting players in the same offseason. However, Navarro impressed in his first game as a starter, and in a bowl game no less, and his ability to play as a tackle will add a new dimension to Ohio’s offense, according to Ohio coach Tim Albin.
@CharlieFadel
