Ohio State’s Ryan Day Narrows Quarterback Competition to Two
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has narrowed the quarterback competition for the Buckeyes to two players: Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz. According to Day, the battle for the starting job is now a “two-horse race” between these two talented quarterbacks.
Current Quarterback Situation
Sayin, a sophomore, transferred to Ohio State from Alabama last January and saw action in four games as a freshman this season. He’s considered the perceived favorite for the starting job due to his experience and impressive performance. Kienholz, a junior, didn’t see game action in 2024 but completed 10 of 22 passes for 111 yards as a freshman in 2023.
Coach Day’s Expectations
Day emphasized that both quarterbacks have shown promise during spring practices, and the competition is heating up. “These guys are going to compete their tail off,” Day said. “We have some good quarterbacks in the system, and I shared with all of them that you know now, this was the week leading up to the national championship game that you know you had an opportunity to watch.” Day expects significant improvement from both quarterbacks over the next two weeks ¹.
Tavien St. Clair’s Status
True freshman Tavien St. Clair, a five-star prospect, is currently trailing behind Sayin and Kienholz in the competition. Despite his talent, St. Clair’s inexperience might be a factor in the coaches’ decision-making process. St. Clair won the accuracy challenge at the Elite 11 Finals last summer and threw for 2,536 yards and 29 touchdowns in 11 games as a senior ¹.
What’s Next?
The quarterback competition is expected to continue heating up as spring practices progress. Day hasn’t set a timeline for naming a starting quarterback, leaving the door open for a prolonged competition. With talented wide receivers like Jeremiah Smith returning, the Buckeyes’ offense is poised for success, regardless of who wins the quarterback job ².
*Key Points:*
– *Quarterback Competition:* Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz are the top two contenders for the starting job.
– *Tavien St. Clair:* Currently trails behind Sayin and Kienholz, but his talent could still earn him playing time.
– *Coach Day’s Expectations:* Significant improvement expected from both Sayin and Kienholz over the next two weeks.
– *Offensive Prospects:* Jeremiah Smith’s return could make life easier for the quarterback, with Chip Kelly’s system in place ¹ ².