Mind Games and Quarterback Battles: The Drama Unfolding at Ohio State
Winning a National Championship and securing his head coaching job wasn’t enough for Ryan Day. Now, the Ohio State head coach finds himself in the midst of an electrifying quarterback showdown—one that’s stirring up tension, speculation, and strategic mind games in Columbus.
With former QB star Will Howard departing for the 2025 NFL Draft, the Buckeyes are left with an open race for the coveted QB1 spot. But who will take the reins? The competition is fierce, the stakes are sky-high, and the whispers inside Ohio State’s camp suggest that Day is playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.
A Battle Fit for the Bold
The Ohio State quarterback room is overcrowded, and every contender is gunning for the top job. While five-star freshman Julian Sayin has garnered much of the attention, Lincoln Kienholz refuses to be overlooked. Then, there’s Tavien St. Clair, another promising gunslinger waiting for his shot.
Instead of easing the tension, Ryan Day is turning up the heat. Rather than naming an obvious frontrunner, he’s letting the battle play out in a gladiator-style competition. “It’ll be a fierce competition,” Day revealed in a recent interview. “Lincoln [Kienholz] and Julian, and then Tavien [St. Clair]. We’re excited to see those guys compete.”
But behind those carefully chosen words, a game of psychological warfare is unfolding.
Julian Sayin: The Chosen One?
In the eyes of most analysts, Julian Sayin is the one to beat. The former Alabama commit carries the legendary Nick Saban stamp of approval, and many believe he’s tailor-made for Ohio State’s high-powered offense.
Veteran sports analyst Tim May didn’t mince words when he spoke on the WBNS 10TV podcast:
“Everybody believes Julian Sayin is the man to beat. I believe Julian Sayin is the man to beat.”
However, the situation isn’t that simple. Kienholz is still very much in the mix, and his continued presence in the competition has raised eyebrows.
A Whispered Promise? Lincoln Kienholz Isn’t Backing Down
Kienholz, who arrived in Columbus in 2023, has seen limited action but remains a wildcard in this battle. He played in three games in 2023, including the high-pressure bowl matchup against Missouri, after Devin Brown’s injury. Though his 2024 campaign didn’t feature any pass attempts, his decision to stick around suggests that he’s been given a reason to believe he has a real shot at QB1.
A podcast host recently posed the question to Tim May:
“The fact that he is still there—what does that tell you?”
May’s response hinted at a behind-the-scenes power play:
“Well, it tells you somebody whispered in his ear, ‘Hey, you know what? You got a shot here.’”
It’s becoming increasingly clear—this isn’t a one-man race, and Kienholz isn’t just a background character.
Enter Jeremiah Smith: The Wild Card in the Quarterback Race
Just when you thought the competition was intense enough, in steps Jeremiah Smith—the elite wide receiver prospect who could reshape Ryan Day’s entire quarterback calculus.
For the longest time, the battle was about accuracy, arm strength, and decision-making. Now? It’s about who can get the ball to Smith with the most efficiency and precision.
J.D. PicKell, speaking on the On3 podcast, laid it out plainly:
“I want the individual who is the most accurate, who has the best, you know, prototypical passer.”
And who does he believe fits that description?
“I suppose, out of this group, I want Julian Sayin to be the guy throwing Jeremiah Smith the football.”
It’s hard to ignore the hype surrounding Sayin’s track record. The 19-year-old has already put up 300+ yard performances against teams like Liberty and Poway, and his reputation as an elite passer continues to grow.
Analyst Blake Ruffino: “It’s Sayin or Nobody”
If there’s one voice making a definitive call, it’s Blake Ruffino. According to him, the QB1 race isn’t much of a race at all.
“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.”
Ruffino even drew comparisons to last year’s QB situation, where Devin Brown was hyped up, but in the end, the job went to Will Howard. Could history repeat itself?
The Verdict: A Chess Match with No Clear Winner—Yet
Ryan Day has done everything except name a clear starter, keeping the mind games running strong in Columbus. Whether he’s truly undecided or just trying to bring out the best in his quarterbacks remains to be seen.
One thing is for sure—the battle for Ohio State’s QB1 is far from over. And with Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, and Tavien St. Clair all refusing to back down, the drama is just getting started.
Will Sayin live up to the hype and seize the throne? Will Kienholz prove everyone wrong and shock the college football world? Or will St. Clair swoop in and steal the show?
Buckle up, Buckeye Nation—the real fight is just beginning.
