The quarterback battle at Ohio State is heating up, and at the center of it all stands a familiar name—Julian Sayin. But with the Buckeyes facing an unexpected dilemma, could this highly-touted 5-star recruit be starting to feel the pressure? As Will Howard departs for the NFL, Ohio State has found itself at a crossroads. The stage is set for Sayin, widely regarded as one of the top talents in the 2024 class, to take over as the next big thing in Columbus. Yet, head coach Ryan Day has made it clear—the QB position is wide open.
Sayin, with his impressive pedigree, seemed like the natural choice, but Ohio State’s quarterback battle is shaping up to be more dramatic than anyone anticipated. Day recently teased, “It’ll be a fierce competition,” hinting at the tight contest brewing between Julian and his fellow competitors. But is it truly a level playing field? Or is Ryan Day simply keeping up appearances? The stakes are high, and this battle is bound to be one of the most thrilling storylines of the offseason.
Sayin’s Confidence: “Take it One Day at a Time”
While the buzz surrounding Sayin’s potential is undeniable, the young star remains as grounded as ever. In a recent interview with Eleven Warriors, he opened up about his mindset heading into what could be the biggest competition of his career. “I think you just take it one day at a time,” Sayin shared, his humility shining through. “I learned a lot from Will [Howard], he’s a great leader, so I just take a lot from him, take a lot from the other guys in the QB room. We’re pretty close in that group, and so I think it’s good.”
While Julian’s measured approach is commendable, it’s clear that his confidence is growing by the day. He even praised his fellow quarterbacks, saying that their competition “is good” because it gives them all a chance to learn from one another. But despite his calm demeanor, the reality is that Sayin’s grip on the QB1 spot may already be tighter than some realize.
Analysts Weigh In: Is Sayin a Lock for QB1?
The hype surrounding Julian Sayin is real, and some believe he’s already a lock for the starting role. On3 analyst JD PicKell certainly thinks so, declaring, “When you talk about the future in Columbus, the thought for me though is with Julian Sayin out of high school. He was considered the most accurate cat in the entire class… Nick Saban wanted him.” When the GOAT himself is interested, you know you’re dealing with something special.
Sayin, the top-ranked quarterback in the 2024 class, has consistently impressed with his pinpoint accuracy and sharp decision-making. While his game reps at Ohio State have been limited, having appeared in just four games last season as the third-string quarterback, the flashes of brilliance have been enough to capture attention. The numbers might not tell the whole story—five completions for 84 yards and a touchdown—but the raw talent is there.
Yet, there are other analysts who aren’t so quick to hand him the job. Blake Ruffino of AYS Sports made a bold claim: “Until Ryan Day tells me that Julian Sayin’s not going to be the starting quarterback at Ohio State, Julian Sayin is the quarterback that I’m thinking that’s going to end here.” A resounding endorsement, but here’s the twist—there’s a $1M threat looming, and it’s coming from a fierce rival within the Buckeyes’ own quarterback room.
The $1M Threat: Tavien St. Clair’s Meteoric Rise
Enter Tavien St. Clair—the freshman sensation who’s quickly turning heads. According to Bleacher Report, St. Clair, the No. 3 QB in the 2025 class, is looking like a legitimate contender to take over as Ohio State’s starter in 2025. He’s the No. 7 overall recruit in the 2025 class, and his NIL valuation—a cool $1M—puts him on par with Sayin, who has a slightly higher valuation at $1.1M. In the NIL era, money talks, and both Sayin and St. Clair are poised to become two of the most valuable assets in college football.
St. Clair’s spring practices will be a make-or-break period. If he adapts quickly to the intensity of Ohio State’s playbook, he could very well make a case for a starting spot. As Bleacher Report notes, “St. Clair’s acclimation period will be critical, and it’s possible the Bucks see he simply needs time to develop in the background.”
But don’t be fooled—St. Clair is no slouch. The young QB is already impressing with his arm strength, field vision, and poise under pressure. As a freshman, he completed five of 12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown, making him a legitimate threat to Sayin’s chances of securing the starting gig.
The Battle for the Buckeyes’ Future
With Tavien St. Clair in the mix, Ryan Day’s quarterback dilemma is more intense than ever. And let’s not forget Lincoln Kienholz, another highly-touted recruit, who is also vying for a spot in this fierce competition. As spring and summer practices loom, the quarterback battle at Ohio State is shaping up to be one of the most closely-watched narratives in college football.
Will Julian Sayin prove his worth and seize the starting role, living up to all the hype that surrounds him? Or will Tavien St. Clair’s meteoric rise disrupt Ohio State’s plans and send the Buckeyes in a new direction?
As the countdown to the 2025 season ticks down, one thing is certain—Ryan Day’s QB dilemma will keep us all on the edge of our seats. The $1M battle for Ohio State’s future is on, and we’re just getting started.
