Ohio State quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis finds the age difference amusing.
Only six years separate him and Tristan Gebbia, a 24-year-old who transferred last month from Oregon State for his seventh season of eligibility. It's the same number of years that stand between some of the youngest freshmen and Gebbia.
"We were joking about it in a meeting," Dennis said. "He's an old soul."
Gebbia's background left him as an enticing addition for the Buckeyes' quarterback room, which has a healthy collection of talent but had been thin on experience following C.J. Stroud's departure to the NFL .
Gebbia made five starts at Oregon State, including two against archrival Oregon. When the Beavers upset the Ducks in 2020, they were helped by Gebbia, who threw for 263 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score. For three straight seasons, he was also voted as a team captain.
"It'll be good to have a veteran guy," Dennis said. "He's played in big games. He's won in big games. Just to see and listen to him talk, the way he carries himself, he'll be a vital piece to have."
Gebbia fits the mold of past upperclassmen who transferred to Ohio State to support younger passers. Gunnar Hoak left Kentucky in 2019 and spent two seasons as a backup behind Justin Fields. Chris Chugunov departed from West Virginia a year earlier.
Buckeyes coach Ryan Day referenced both of former passers when he discussed the addition of Gebbia.
But Gebbia might hold an even more distinct role in the quarterback room.
"Tristan made it clear he really wants to be a coach," Day said, "and this is an opportunity to almost be like a graduate assistant this year and help mentor that room. But with that being said, he's been in rivalry games and played more football than anybody in that room."
The experience provided by Gebbia will have the biggest effect on junior Kyle McCord and redshirt freshman Devin Brown, who are set to compete for the starting job when spring practice begins on March 7.
"When you look at some of the NFL teams, those guys in those backup roles are supporting the starter," Day said. "That really helps with the culture. I'm hoping he can provide that for us."
Dennis expects Gebbia will be a model for other quarterbacks off the field with the way he "commands himself and presents himself." He added that Gebbia's base of knowledge will be helpful when they break down practice and game film, noting he's "unbelievable with what he sees."
The Buckeyes have gone through the past two seasons with less depth and experience behind center. They had only three quarterbacks on scholarship last fall, and when they had four in the previous season, all of them were freshmen in eligibility.
Day's preference is to have four quarterbacks on scholarship, a total they will reach in June once Lincoln Kienholz enrolls at the school. An incoming freshman, Kienholz had signed a letter of intent in December. Gebbia's transfer that followed positioned them to meet that threshold in 2023.
"We haven't always had that," Day said, "because it's hard to find people for this role. I think it's a unique role that people are willing to take on. So we're very grateful."
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman .
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tristan Gebbia adds experience to Ohio State football quarterback room
