Ryan Day Makes Major Quarterback Announcement for OSU as Julian Sayin Lured With Big Temptation

The Ohio State Buckeyes are rolling into their offseason quite smoothly. They have their recruitment figured out, their incoming transfers provide enough, and most of all, they have the momentum after winning the Natty. Translation: “The second consecutive natty is in pipeline.” Well, the thought may be tempting for Ohio State, but it’s also not a stretch to say that Ohio State is one of the favorites to win the national championship this year. Albeit there was a slight hiccup in accomplishing that dream. This revolves around their exhausting QB departure and the dilemma that followed.

The loss of Will Howard wasn’t an easy thing for Ryan Day to transition to. The QB not only produced more than 4,000+ yards but also did it with a 73% accuracy. This was a QB slinging balls for fun and making runs like he was running in his backyard. Sure, losing him will sting. But even then, the three QBs: Julian Sayin, Tavien St Clair, and Lincoln Kienholz provided some hope. Still, Ryan Day faced a dilemma as to whom to pick.

Tavien St. Clair was a five-star recruit in the 2025 recruiting class and was ranked 3rd nationally in his position. So, he also had a chance at the QB 1 spot. Then there was Julian Sayin, a former five-star quarterback himself in the 2024 class, but he has limited experience and has played just 4 games for 84 yards. Lincoln Kienholz, on the other hand, is a red-shirt sophomore and also a five-star recruit of the 2023 class. The player also doesn’t have extensive experience to back him up, but the Cotton Bowl performance makes his case somewhat. Now, the question is who will be the QB1?

Ryan Day, in his April 29 press conference, finally clarified his stance and put Tavien St. Clair out of the QB1 race. “Ryan Day said both Lincoln and Julian handled the environment well in the spring game and did some things well, albeit against very vanilla looks. He said it’s a two-man race, with Tavien St. Clair just needing more reps and experience”. Dillon Davis, an Ohio State insider, reported.

The spring practices are now finally over, and this was a decision that was finally needed. Since splitting reps between three QBs has become a harder task than envisioned, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman also said the same, who was going through a QB dilemma of his own. While the head coach might have hinted at a two-way battle, it seems QB Julian Sayin will be making the cut as QB1 and Lincoln Kienholz sitting behind him as QB2.

Julian Sayin gets pleasant news from Ryan Day

Well, now that the QB battle is sorted, it’s time to see if the QB1, who will probably be Julian Sayin, will have adequate reinforcements. Jeremiah Smith will still be the leader in the receiver room with Carnell Tate being his deputy, who himself notched 527 receiving yards last year. Other players like Brandon Inniss will also be regularly involved, as the player looked ready last year and received 287 yards for 3 touchdowns. Moreover, head coach Ryan Day himself reiterated the same stance.

“Day said the #Buckeyes have “different” weapons this year. He said there’s more depth at tight end than they’ve had, the wide receivers can do different things, and can go five deep at running back“. Patrick Murphy of CBS Sports provided the update. Through this stance, Ryan Day is reiterating that the QB1 will have enough depth in the receiver position room to replicate last year’s heroics.

Apart from the above-mentioned receivers, Ryan Day will also have Quincy Porter, Phillip Bell, and De’Zie Jones as the true freshman QBs, all of whom look well-oiled after the spring games. Apart from them, Mylan Graham, the red-shirt sophomore, and David Adolph also look ready. All in all, the receiver room will be well equipped for Julian Sayin; the rest of the responsibility now will be on the QB to perform.