The QB1 battle at Ohio State Buckeyes won’t be just a competition; it’ll be a gauntlet. The race to replace Will Howard for quarterback position is on. Ryan Day has made it clear: this isn’t a coronation; it’s a war for the job. Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, and freshman Tavien St. Clair all bring different skill sets to the table, but only one will get the nod. All are five stars. Sayin, the former No. 1 in Cali and Alabama transfer, is at the center. He didn’t leave Tuscaloosa for Columbus just to sit. But as the spring game approaches, not everyone is convinced he’s OSU’s QB1. Just sayin’, if he goes Super Saiyan…

“It’ll be a very fierce competition,” Ryan Day said in comments to WBNS in Columbus. “Lincoln and Julian, and then Tavien. We’re excited to see those guys compete. We’ll chart everything and everything will be a competition.” Julian Sayin certainly has the pedigree. The former No. 1 quarterback out of California was handpicked by Nick Saban, only to see his Alabama future reshaped by the legendary coach’s retirement. When he hit the transfer portal, Ryan Day wasted no time scooping him up. At 6’1”, Sayin isn’t the biggest passer, but his accuracy, poise, and natural feel for the game made him a coveted recruit.

And he already has an ace up his sleeve—his connection with Ohio State’s top receiver, Jeremiah Smith. The chemistry between Sayin and the country’s No. 1 wideout has been on full display in 7-on-7 work, where Sayin’s touch and accuracy have turned heads. That rapport could give him an edge in a tight competition, but he still has a mountain to climb before being anointed QB1.

However, not everyone inside the program is sold. A Buckeye Scoop insider recently raised concerns about Julian Sayin’s personality and approach to the game, saying, “Some think his demeanor is a little bit off-putting. He’s a little casual, he’s a little laid-back.” Some see it as a cool Cali confidence, others as a potential red flag in a high-pressure battle.

That’s the paradox of Buckeyes #10—effortless and fluid when throwing the football, but is there enough fire behind the scenes? That laid-back persona could work for him or against him, depending on how he channels it through spring practices. There’s no doubt about his arm talent, though. “Sensational. The touch, the accuracy. He’s throwing a lot of touchdowns to Jeremiah Smith.” The flashes are there, but flashes don’t win jobs—consistency does.

There’s also the issue of competition. Kienholz has been in the system longer, and the No. 3 QB in the nation, St. Clair, the incoming freshman, has the kind of physical traits that can’t be ignored. Ryan Day is notorious for demanding the highest level of performance from his quarterbacks, and if Sayin doesn’t deliver this spring, there’s a real possibility Ohio State dips into the transfer portal for another option. “If he doesn’t have a productive spring, I think Ryan’s going to go into the second portal and look for a quarterback.” That’s as strong a warning as any. Nothing is guaranteed in Columbus, and this is a program that won’t hesitate to make a bold move if necessary.

Julian Sayin’s path to the starting job isn’t just about proving he’s the best option—it’s about proving he has the mentality to lead a national powerhouse. He was handpicked by Ryan Day, Joe Moorhead, and Chip Kelly at various points in his career, which says a lot about his talent and football IQ. But this is Ohio State, where patience runs thin and expectations never waver.

Let’s see what head coach Ryan Day is ‘Sayin’

The next few months could make or break Julian Sayin’s future at Ohio State. Either he steps up and becomes the quarterback everyone envisioned, or the Buckeyes might be back on the market for another signal-caller by summer. No pressure, right?

Head coach Ryan Day made it clear in an interview with WBNS that this spring is a proving ground. “I feel like we’re going to need everybody,” Day said. “But I feel like there will be a lot of growth coming out of the spring and an opportunity for these guys to take it and run. It’s one thing when you’re a backup. It’s another thing when you’re actually running it.” So, sitting and learning is one thing, but leading an offense is a different beast.

Ryan Day used Will Howard’s leadership as an example for his quarterbacks, emphasizing that the baton is officially passed. “When the national championship’s over, that’s it. Will’s done. His time’s done here. Now you have to take it over,” Day said. For Sayin, this is the moment. He has to walk differently, move differently, and play differently.