Former Ohio State Star Now Poised to Lead New York Jets as Starting Quarterback in High-Stakes 2025 NFL Season
The path from college stardom to NFL success is rarely straight. It’s a winding road paved with expectations, scrutiny, and the constant pressure to perform under the brightest lights. For many quarterbacks, the transition proves too steep. But for one former Ohio State standout, the moment he’s long waited for is finally here. As the 2025 NFL season approaches, Devin Brown—once a promising yet inconsistent college passer—is now set to be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets, a franchise starving for stability, leadership, and most of all, wins.
It’s a fascinating turn of events for a player whose college career was full of both potential and question marks. Brown, a former five-star recruit out of Utah who transferred to Ohio State from USC before ever playing a down, had to wait his turn in Columbus. After backing up C.J. Stroud and later competing with Kyle McCord, Brown finally emerged as the full-time starter during his junior season in 2024. And when the opportunity came, he delivered.
Brown’s final college campaign wasn’t flawless, but it was electric. He threw for over 3,800 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions, leading the Buckeyes to a 12-2 season and a berth in the College Football Playoff. While Ohio State came up just short of a national title, Brown’s performances—particularly in the postseason—turned heads among NFL scouts. He showed poise under pressure, elite arm strength, improved decision-making, and an underrated ability to escape the pocket and extend plays.
That late-season surge catapulted Brown into first-round consideration, and it was the Jets who took a swing on him at pick No. 14 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. At the time, the selection was met with mixed reactions. Some analysts applauded the move, calling Brown a high-upside pick with the potential to finally end the Jets’ decades-long quarterback woes. Others questioned whether he was ready to handle the spotlight of New York City and the relentless scrutiny that comes with it.
Now, just months later, there’s no doubt: Devin Brown is QB1 for the New York Jets.
The opportunity came sooner than expected. Initially, the Jets had planned to let Brown sit behind veteran Kirk Cousins, who signed a one-year deal to bridge the gap between generations. But Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles injury during a July training camp practice—a cruel twist for the journeyman quarterback, and a seismic moment for the franchise.
Suddenly, the plan was off. There would be no redshirt year. No gradual transition. Devin Brown would be the starter from Week 1.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh addressed the situation with cautious optimism.
“This isn’t how we envisioned it,” Saleh said in a press conference following Cousins’ injury. “But this is why we drafted Devin. He’s smart, he’s tough, and he’s got the arm to make every throw. He’s earned this shot.”
So far, the reviews have been promising. Brown has reportedly impressed teammates and coaches alike with his command of the huddle, his grasp of the playbook, and his natural leadership. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson, himself a former Buckeye, has quickly developed chemistry with his new quarterback.
“Devin’s got that edge,” Wilson said during a recent media availability. “He’s confident, he’s a competitor, and he’s not afraid of the moment. We believe in him.”
Still, belief will only carry a team so far in the unforgiving NFL. The Jets enter the 2025 season with playoff expectations, bolstered by a top-five defense, a healthy Breece Hall at running back, and an improved offensive line anchored by Alijah Vera-Tucker and rookie standout Malik Adams. The pieces are there—but the quarterback position remains the ultimate variable.
Brown’s learning curve will be steep. The AFC East is no joke. He’ll face the likes of Josh Allen, Tua Tagovailoa, and a resurgent Patriots defense in divisional play alone. Outside of that, the Jets’ schedule features multiple prime-time games, including a Week 4 showdown against the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The pressure will be immense, but Brown isn’t shying away. In fact, his demeanor has drawn comparisons to some of the league’s steadiest young leaders. He’s confident but not cocky, intense but composed—a reflection, perhaps, of the adversity he faced at Ohio State. Nothing came easy in Columbus. He had to fight for reps, silence doubters, and constantly evolve. That battle-hardened him.
His style of play also suits today’s NFL. Brown isn’t a traditional pocket passer in the mold of Stroud or Mac Jones, but he’s not a pure scrambler either. He’s a hybrid—a quarterback who can win from the pocket with a strong arm and sharp reads, but who can also escape when the pocket collapses. That dual-threat ability gives the Jets flexibility in playcalling and opens up possibilities that didn’t exist with a more stationary quarterback.
Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is already tailoring the scheme to Brown’s strengths.
“We’re going to move the pocket, get him on the run, use his legs to create time and stress defenses,” Hackett said. “He’s got a cannon, but he’s also got feel. That’s rare.”
Still, there will be growing pains. Brown has yet to face a live NFL defense in regular-season action. Mistakes are inevitable. But what the Jets hope is that his talent, composure, and willingness to learn will help him weather the storms and grow into the role quickly.
The city of New York has not always been kind to young quarterbacks. Just ask Zach Wilson, Geno Smith, or Mark Sanchez. But Brown enters with a different mindset. He’s not trying to be a savior. He’s trying to be a steady hand in a locker room full of talent and expectations.
To his credit, he’s also staying grounded. Asked about being named the starter, Brown kept it simple.
“It’s an honor, man. I’ve dreamed about this my whole life,” he said. “But nothing’s been handed to me, and nothing will be. I’ve got to prove it every day.”
That mindset has already won over the Jets locker room. Veterans have spoken about Brown’s humility and work ethic. Coaches have praised his attention to detail. And perhaps most importantly, he’s shown resilience in practice, bouncing back quickly from mistakes and leading with conviction.
The fanbase remains cautiously optimistic. Jets fans have endured decades of heartbreak, including recent disappointments with highly drafted quarterbacks who never panned out. But there’s something different about Brown—or at least, there’s hope that this time might be different. He’s not just talented—he’s prepared.
The journey ahead won’t be easy. No one is expecting a Pro Bowl season out of the gate. But what the Jets need—and what Brown may be ready to provide—is competence, consistency, and the kind of steady development that has eluded this franchise for far too long.
The eyes of the league will be on him. Every throw, every read, every decision will be analyzed and debated. That comes with the territory. But Devin Brown has never run from the spotlight. He embraced it in high school. He earned it at Ohio State. And now, in the biggest city in America, he has a chance to own it.
So as the 2025 NFL season kicks off, all eyes turn to MetLife Stadium and the rookie quarterback wearing green and white. Devin Brown isn’t just filling in—he’s stepping up. The Jets didn’t expect this scenario, but they believe they’ve found their future. And for the former Buckeye, this is the moment he’s been preparing for his entire life.
Whether he thrives or falters remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: the Devin Brown era in New York has begun. And for a fanbase desperate for something—or someone—to believe in, that alone is enough to spark hope.
