It’s always fun until someone flips or blocks a move—and what just happened in this latest episode of “Love recruiting island” is no stranger to a little chaos. This time, Ohio State’s quarterback room set off a chain reaction that has everyone watching closely. Julian Sayin’s surprise flip to the Buckeyes sent waves through Columbus, but what came next was the kind of drama that fuels recruiting message boards. Buckeyes fans didn’t just gain a 5-star freshman quarterback; they lost another talented one in the 4-star Air Noland. The ripple effects didn’t stop there. Somehow, Deion Sanders and Colorado, along with Carrollton High School’s own Julian Lewis, might have to watch this one out closely.

Ohio State’s quarterback depth chart was always going to get messy. But the other Julian’s, Cali’s No. 1 of Carlsbad High School (this one is coach Day’s) arrival pushed it to DEFCON 1. The former Alabama commit stunned the nation by flipping to the Ryan Day led Buckeyes, adding another crown jewel to a stacked room.

That decision made life uncomfortable for Air Noland, the 4-star freshman out of Langston Hughes High School. As someone named Bravo Charlie put it on X, “The second Julian Sayin flipped from Alabama to OSU, Air Noland was bound to transfer unless he beat Sayin out.” Noland saw the writing on the wall. With Sayin arriving, along with 5-star 2025 commit Tavien St. Clair, the path to QB1 suddenly looked like a dead end.

So, the true freshman hit the eject button. The 6’2”, 195-pound quarterback entered the transfer portal with four years of eligibility and a high school resumé that screams “starter,” as per On3. At Langston Hughes, Noland was the guy, racking up 10,164 passing yards and 126 touchdowns across four seasons. In 2022, he led his team to a perfect 15-0 record and their first state title. That’s the kind of production schools dream about, and it didn’t take long for whispers to connect him to Deion Sanders’ Colorado program. After all, the Buffs could use a talented arm to follow Shedeur Sanders, and Noland would fit perfectly into the spotlight.

Just like that, we are back with what could or could not be another throne battle for the Buffs commit. After that Kaidon Salter scare, now comes another one. Julian Lewis can’t catch a break as the other 5-star QB and No. 2 recruit in the 2025 class, making his presence known. “Juju” Lewis, as fans call him, has been the darling of Carrollton High School, and it’s clear Colorado isn’t even an option with him in the picture.

The speculation that Coach Prime could land the No. 4 QB of 2024 took a hit once Lewis entered the conversation, and suddenly, the dominoes started to fall again. Colorado may be looking, but they’re not winning this particular sweepstakes—not with Julian Lewis standing firm and other top-tier programs circling Noland.

The bigger story here is how one flip can shake the quarterback landscape across multiple teams. For Ohio State, Sayin’s arrival solidified their QB room as one of the most competitive in the country. But it also sent a clear message: there’s no room for hesitation. As for Air Noland, his move makes sense.

Why wait and wonder when you have the talent to start elsewhere? Whoever gets Noland will get a good player, and it’s hard to argue. Buffs may not get their shot at Noland, but that doesn’t mean the transfer carousel is slowing down anytime soon. Programs are now watching closely to see where the talented lefty lands.

Who wants to breathe this fresh ‘Air’?

Ohio State’s quarterback room heading into this offseason was stacked. Between star recruits, returning talent, and savvy transfer portal additions like Will Howard (who ultimately secured the starting role), there was no shortage of competition. But with so many QBs fighting for a limited number of reps, someone was bound to look for a fresh start. Air Noland is the talented freshman who’s officially testing the transfer portal waters.

Noland’s journey to Ohio State was already impressive. He turned down powerhouses like Alabama, Miami, and Texas A&M to stick with the Buckeyes, showcasing his confidence and loyalty. But now that the room in Columbus is as packed as a Black Friday sale, the young signal-caller may have his eyes set on a program where he can develop and shine.

So, who’s in the hunt for Air? Expect some familiar faces to jump back into the race. Miami immediately stands out, especially with Cam Ward—their Heisman finalist—heading to the NFL. Alabama is another strong candidate. If Jalen Milroe declares for the 2025 draft, the Tide will be in search of their next big QB. Meanwhile, Ohio State fans can’t help but celebrate their QB riches, even if it came at the cost of a transfer.