Who will lead Ohio State’s offense as the Buckeyes defend their national championship next season? That is the major question that faces head coach Ryan Day and staff following a stellar year from Will Howard.
The Kansas State transfer made the most out of his lone season in Columbus before departing for the 2025 NFL Draft. The new group of passers features a familiar name in Julian Sayin, a former five-star Alabama transfer that appeared in four games last season. Elsewhere, former four-star Lincoln Kienholz returns as a junior while the new face of the group, five-star signee Tavien St. Clair, is taking part in his first spring practice.
The Buckeyes also have some new challenges on the offensive staff in adjusting to new offensive coordinator Brian Hartline after the NFL departure of Chip Kelly. Day took the podium on Monday as Ohio State continues spring practice.
He spoke at length about the competition at quarterback and revealed which signal-callers are leading the charge. Not surprisingly, St. Clair “has the longest way to go” as a true freshman. However, the 6-foot-4, 225-pound passer has some notable talent. “I think it’s fair to say that Tavien probably has the longest way to go just because of just the lack of experience,” Day said. “I think it’s easy to see – you guys saw it on Saturday, the talent and his ability to run, his athleticism, the arm. He has all those things.
He just needs to play more, he needs to see it more. The games just moving really fast for him right now but he’s picking it up, he’s getting it every day.” That leaves Sayin and Kienholz vying for the starting role at this time. And Kienholz appears to be pushing harder than previously expected.
“So, I’d say he (St. Clair) probably has the farthest way to go and then Lincoln and Julian are pretty much neck-and-neck right now,” Day said. Kienholz (6-foot-3, 207 pounds) has been at Ohio State for a year longer than Sayin. The junior has appeared in five games over the last two seasons, completing 45.5% of his passes for 111 yards. Then there is Sayin, who transferred from Alabama after former head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement.
The 6-foot-1, 203-pound quarterback completed 5-of-12 passes for for 84 yards with a touchdown in 2024. “This is a situation where you have Lincoln, who’s been here now for three years, and Julian, you know, just for a year, and then Tavien just showed up so all in three different points of their career but all still learning and growing,” Day said.
“None of them really have, you know, a ton of significant playing experience.” Ohio State fans took to social media on Monday to react to Day’s update. Some were skeptical of the comments. “Sayin will end up being the guy. Bet,” one Buckeyes fan wrote. “Of course he’s going to say that,” another added.
“He’s not going to admit to a guy being a clear front runner.” “No coach is gonna reveal that if there is a competition,” one wrote. Others seemingly believe that Ohio State is attempting to keep both Sayin and Kienholz from entering the transfer portal this spring by keeping the competition open publicly. “This is 100% just to ensure they both stay during the spring window,” one fan responded.
“He can’t say one is ahead or they transfer. Duh,” another wrote. The Buckeyes’ spring quarterback battle will heat up this week as Ohio State prepares for its open practice on April 12. Fans will get their first chance to see the contenders up close before the long break begins.
The 2025 season will open at home against Texas on Aug. 30, a rematch from the Cotton Bowl semifinal.
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