Brick by Brick: Ohio State Adds Unexpected Quarterback Twist with Eli Brickhandler Transfer
In a move that no one saw coming—but now no one can ignore—Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes added a new name to their quarterback room on Tuesday. And it’s a name that sounds like it was chiseled from football folklore itself: Eli Brickhandler.
Let’s address the elephant in the room: with a name like Brickhandler, this guy was born to play quarterback—not wide receiver. No coach in America wants a wideout with “brick” in his DNA. But at QB? That’s a whole different story. That’s a field general with a concrete will, a mortar-tough mindset, and a cannon ready to launch deep strikes downfield. Now, this strong-armed, dual-threat passer is bringing his talents—and his grit—to The Horseshoe.
The Stockton, California native made his way to Columbus via the transfer portal, most recently hailing from Houston Christian. While his name might not yet resonate with the scarlet and gray faithful, his game just might. In seven games last season, Brickhandler tossed for 557 yards and four touchdowns, adding 264 yards and a score on the ground. He’s not just a pocket passer—he’s got wheels, swagger, and the instincts to improvise under pressure.
Before lighting it up at Houston Christian, Brickhandler spent two years at North Carolina A&T, where he racked up 434 passing yards, three touchdowns, and proved his versatility with 176 rushing yards and two more scores. While those aren’t Heisman numbers, they scream one thing loud and clear: growth. He’s evolving, and Ryan Day just gave him a much bigger stage to show it.
With Brickhandler in the mix, the Buckeyes now have a full stable of scholarship quarterbacks for 2025—four to be exact. He joins the elite company of Julian Sayin (the crown jewel 5-star redshirt freshman), Lincoln Kienholz (the battle-tested junior), and Tavien St. Clair (a rising star in waiting). It’s a room brimming with promise, pedigree, and pressure.
On the surface, Brickhandler appears to be a depth addition—a seasoned insurance policy should the top contenders stumble. But this is college football, the most unpredictable theater in sports. Walk-ons become legends. Depth pieces become headline-makers. And sometimes, the guy no one saw coming ends up carrying the torch on Saturday night under the lights.
The Buckeyes’ quarterback battle is already one of the most scrutinized in the country. Day has yet to name a starter, but the race is neck and neck between Sayin and Kienholz. In April, Day offered a glimpse into how razor-thin the margin really is.
“Lincoln had the edge heading into the spring game, but Julian probably outshined him during it,” Day said. “After reviewing every throw, every decision, every practice grade—they’re incredibly close. This summer will tell the rest of the story.”
But what if there’s a plot twist? What if Brickhandler isn’t just a name buried on the depth chart? What if this journeyman, molded by experience and forged by adversity, brings a different edge to the competition?
Make no mistake, the odds are long. But Brickhandler is built for long odds. And at a place like Ohio State—where national championships are the expectation and every rep is magnified—the unexpected often becomes unforgettable.
Don’t blink. Don’t dismiss. Eli Brickhandler just walked into the quarterback crucible—and he brought his bricks.
