Ryan Day Drops Unexpected Hint on Ohio State QB Battle—Who’s Taking the Lead?

If Ohio State’s quarterback competition were a Netflix series, the plot would thicken nicely heading into the 2025 season. Will Howard’s exit left a notable void, and now three talented signal-callers—Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, and Tavien St. Clair—are duking it out to fill those big cleats. But here’s the twist: Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day has effectively trimmed the suspense, spotlighting Sayin and Kienholz as the main protagonists in what he calls a “two-horse race.” It makes you wonder—will St. Clair’s fresh-star status be enough to shake up the hierarchy, or is this a classic tale of experience edging out raw talent? The stakes? Taking the helm of a national champion roster armed with explosive weapons like top-tier receiver Jeremiah Smith, all while navigating rookie jitters. It’s a captivating duel with more layers than a Woody Hayes game plan. Curious to dive deeper into who might emerge from this quarterback showdown? LEARN MORE.

The Ohio State Buckeyes will have a new starting quarterback in 2025 following Will Howard’s departure. But while three quarterbacks are vying for the job, it appears that only two have a real shot to win it.

According to Buckeyes reporter Chase Brown, Day said that quarterbacks Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz and Tavien St. Clair all performed well during the recent Ohio State spring game. However, Day now considers the QB battle a “two-horse race” between Sayin and Kienholz. 

“Ryan Day said Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz and Tavien St. Clair all had good moments during Ohio State’s spring game. He called the Buckeyes’ quarterback battle “a two-horse race” between Sayin and Kienholz,” Brown reported.

Ryan Day said Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz and Tavien St. Clair all had good moments during Ohio State's spring game. He called the Buckeyes' quarterback battle "a two-horse race" between Sayin and Kienholz.

— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) April 29, 2025

Kienholz is the most senior member of the trio, joining in the 2023 recruiting class and throwing 22 passes as a freshman that year. However, he took a redshirt in 2024.

Sayin, a former five-star recruit, served as the team’s third-string quarterback this past season. He completed five of 12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown and even got some spot duty in the College Football Playoff.

St. Clair is a true freshman who ranked as the No. 4 overall recruit in the 2025 class, per 247Sports. It may be a tough pill to swallow if he can’t get playing time as a freshman, as we’ve seen with a number of other top QB prospects in the past.

Whoever does win the starting job will have the unenviable task of taking over a national title-winning team with virtually no starting experience under their belt. 

The Buckeyes have more weapons than any young quarterback could ever hope for though. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the best receiver in football and can certainly help any quarterback on a learning curve with his breakaway speed alone.

Who will win the battle between Sayin, Kienholz and St. Clair?

Related: Former Ohio State Star Makes Opinion On QB Julian Sayin Clear