Ryan Day faces tough decision: Who will be Ohio State’s starting quarterback?

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Expectations are soaring in Columbus as Ohio State comes off a national title, but with star quarterback Will Howard off to the NFL, all eyes have shifted to the Buckeyes‘ wide-open quarterback competition.

The man at the center of this high-stakes decision is head coach Ryan Day, and the outcome could determine whether Ohio State continues its college football dominance or stumbles in a loaded Big Ten.

Howard’s successor will be tasked not just with maintaining last season’s explosive offense, but with leading a roster stacked with talent and ambition.

The main contenders? Julian Sayin, the highly recruited Alabama transfer, and Lincoln Kienholz, a redshirt freshman who’s been patiently developing in Day‘s system.

While freshman Tavien St. Clair and senior Mason Maggs provide depth, the spotlight is firmly fixed on Sayin and Kienholz.

Quarterback Battle Heats Up in Columbus

The pressure to find the right leader is immense. According to ESPN’s Jake Trotter and other Ohio State insiders, Day isn’t just looking for a caretaker, he needs a playmaker.

That sentiment was echoed by former Buckeye legend Cardale Jones, who knows firsthand the pressure of being thrust into the spotlight with limited experience.

“I think it’s the intangibles without the reps right now and the experience,” Jones said on the podcast “The Quarterback Room.” “It’s just the way that each of these guys develops and processes information.”

Both Sayin and Kienholz face the daunting task of winning over a demanding fanbase.

They’ve yet to face a primetime game at The Horseshoe or handle a season-defining drive with everything on the line.

Jones stressed that it’s in those high-pressure moments where inexperience will show, or true leadership will emerge.

“You’re going to find yourself in situations, no matter which quarterback it is. That they’re just experiencing is going to show, you know, or the lack of experience is going to show,” Jones noted.

Early in the spring, Kienholz was considered the favorite after a strong showing in practice and scrimmages.

However, Sayin‘s poise during the spring game shifted momentum his way, as he calmly led the offense and finished with 175 yards and a touchdown.

Even so, Kienholz remains a real threat with his arm strength and time in the program.

Day has been tight-lipped about his plans, making it clear the competition will play out into fall camp.

“Don’t make your starting quarterback feel like he has to look over his shoulder all the time,” Jones cautioned. “Trust your choice, and give him space to develop.”

High Stakes, High Potential

Jones, who famously stepped up for Ohio State and delivered a national championship, believes both Sayin and Kienholz have what it takes to lead the team to glory.

“Both guys are more than capable enough of leading this team to a lot of wins and putting themselves in a great position to ultimately do the things they potentially want to do at the next level,” he said.

Sayin, with his Elite 11 MVP honors and reputation for maturity beyond his years, impressed during the spring game and is believed to have the edge if he continues to show consistency.

Yet Kienholz‘s knowledge of the system and his own flashes of brilliance mean the competition remains fierce.

As preseason camp approaches, the Buckeyes‘ coaching staff, players, and fans are watching closely.

The right decision could pave the way for another run at a national title, and define the legacy of both the new starter and the head coach who chose him.

For Ohio State, the next leader under center will need more than raw talent.

It will take composure, quick decision-making, and an unshakeable belief under pressure, qualities Ryan Day and his staff will be searching for every day until the season kicks off.

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