Ohio State is facing a pivotal transition at the quarterback position following Will Howard’s departure. The national championship-winning quarterback, who transferred from Kansas State, left behind big shoes to fill, and head coach Ryan Day now has a decision to make. With three homegrown quarterbacks-Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, and Tavien St. Clair-vying for the starting role, the competition remains intense. While all three possess talent, Sayin’s recent performance has placed him as the frontrunner, though the battle is far from settled.
Howard was a proven starter when he arrived at Ohio State, making Day’s choice a straightforward one. In his lone season, Howard delivered 4,010 passing yards and 226 rushing yards, guiding the Buckeyes to a national title. But now, with three quarterbacks who have been developed within the Ohio State system, Day faces a more complex challenge. Kienholz, who has spent three years in the program, has experience, but Sayin’s standout performance in the spring game has made him the favorite heading into fall camp.
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Sayin arrived at Ohio State as a five-star recruit in the 2024 class after initially committing to Alabama. However, following Nick Saban’s retirement, Sayin transferred to Ohio State, where he has quickly adjusted to the Buckeyes’ system. Kienholz, a four-star recruit from 2023, played in last year’s Cotton Bowl, stepping in for an injured Devin Brown. He passed for 86 yards, completing just six of seventeen attempts-his only significant showing. Meanwhile, Sayin shined in the 2025 spring game, completing 17 of 24 passes for 175 yards, solidifying his case for the starting role.
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There is a lot to evaluate
Day recently spoke about Sayin’s growth and development, acknowledging the young quarterback’s physical and mental progression. “He’s grown, his body’s grown, had a really good spring game,” Day said on the May 29 episode of NBC Sports. While he praised Kienholz’s bright future, his comments indicated that Sayin could be the Buckeyes’ QB1 heading into the fall. However, with training camp still ahead, Kienholz still has time to challenge Sayin for the job.
Beyond the quarterback battle, Jeremiah Smith, last season’s breakout freshman receiver, is set to return stronger than ever. Smith recorded 1,315 receiving yards in 16 games, earning First-Team All-American honors and making history as the first Buckeye freshman to surpass 1,000 yards in a season. With Smith returning, expectations for Ohio State’s offense are soaring, and whispers of another national title run are growing louder.
Day hinted at Smith’s continued evolution, stating that the talented receiver would be “even bigger, stronger, and more mature” heading into the season. With Sayin potentially locking down the QB1 role, Smith could emerge as a top-five Heisman contender in 2025. Additionally, Carnell Tate and Brandon Iniss add further firepower to Ohio State’s receiving corps, setting up the Buckeyes for another dominant campaign.
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