Ohio State’s dominance under Ryan Day reached new heights last season, culminating in a national championship run that left their opponents reeling. But as the dust settles on their triumphant campaign, a new challenge emerges—one that threatens to shake up the Buckeyes’ quarterback room. With Will Howard moving on after a spectacular season (4,010 passing yards, 35 touchdowns), all eyes now turn to the trio of Julian Sayin, Tavien St. Clair, and Lincoln Kienholz.
The battle for QB1 has ignited intense speculation, and while many have pegged Sayin as the frontrunner, fresh reports suggest the competition is tighter than ever. A recent statement from Buckeyes Scoop added fuel to the fire:
“Obviously, Lincoln is a guy that has talent. I mean, again, there’s a lot of people that think he has talent, but this is going to be—I mean, I would be shocked if Julian’s not the guy.”
Sayin undoubtedly possesses the raw talent to take the reins. The former Elite 11 MVP dominated high school football, posting a staggering 76% completion rate for 2,347 yards and 24 touchdowns in his final year. His dual-threat ability also saw him rack up 605 rushing yards and nine touchdowns throughout his high school career, cementing his status as one of the nation’s most electrifying prospects.
However, there’s a potential roadblock standing in his way—and it doesn’t just involve his competition.
Is Brian Hartline’s Promotion a Hidden Threat to Ohio State’s Offensive Stability?
The Buckeyes’ offensive play-calling underwent a major shake-up when Chip Kelly departed for the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving a massive void in the coaching staff. Ryan Day swiftly appointed Brian Hartline—who had previously served as Ohio State’s wide receivers coach—to the offensive coordinator position. But some analysts believe this could spell trouble.
“Brian Hartline, who is fully committed to coaching the wide receivers, has said repeatedly that nothing will change in the wide receiver room in terms of his coaching… How does he handle running that room and coordinating the offense? Because again, I think that’s going to be interesting. It is somewhat uncommon to have a wide receivers coach as the offensive coordinator.”
Managing a WR room stacked with 15 players, including superstars like Jeremiah Smith, Mylan Graham, and Jayden Ballard, is a full-time job in itself. Now, Hartline must juggle those responsibilities while overseeing Ohio State’s entire offensive scheme—a monumental task that has left some questioning whether he can balance both roles effectively.
And if the Buckeyes’ offensive rhythm falters, it could put even more pressure on whoever wins the QB1 battle.
The Transfer Portal Looms as the QB Battle Intensifies
With three highly touted quarterbacks fighting for the starting role, not everyone will walk away satisfied—and that could lead to major transfer portal ramifications. One name, in particular, stands out: Lincoln Kienholz.
After spending last season buried on the depth chart as Ohio State’s fourth-string QB, Kienholz is unlikely to accept another year of waiting in the wings. Fox Sports analyst RJ Young went so far as to suggest that Kienholz should strongly consider transferring if he doesn’t secure a more prominent role.
“Dude, you could probably go torch someone if you just went to Tulane, Tulsa, or Boise State, for that matter. You keep going down the line on Sacramento State with Brennan Marion (their head coach). There are places for him to go to show out.”
It’s not an outlandish suggestion. Kienholz was named USA Today’s National Athlete of the Year in 2023, and his skill set is more than enough to thrive elsewhere. If he doesn’t see a viable path to playing time, he may have little choice but to explore his options.
Ryan Day Holds His Cards Close—But for How Long?
Despite all the speculation, Ryan Day has remained tight-lipped about where things stand in the QB competition. His only public comment so far?
“Don’t have any evaluation on it now. Gonna be a big spring for those guys.”
That’s coach-speak for “this battle is far from over.”
But the reality is clear: by the end of spring camp, at least one of these quarterbacks could be packing their bags. Whether it’s Julian Sayin securing his spot, Kienholz making a shocking leap, or St. Clair emerging as a dark horse, something’s got to give.
One thing is certain—the Buckeyes’ QB saga is just getting started, and the transfer portal may soon come calling.
