Will Howard overcame challenges last season to guide the Ohio State Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff, ultimately securing a national championship before heading to the NFL. Now, one of the biggest priorities for head coach Ryan Day and his staff is identifying Howard’s replacement—a competition that had no clear frontrunner entering the spring.
Ohio State bolstered its quarterback room by adding former five-star recruit and Alabama transfer Julian Sayin before last season, positioning him as a potential leader for the future. As spring practices reach their midpoint, Sayin appears to be the favorite to take over the starting role in 2025.
According to Spencer Holbrook of Letterman Row, Sayin currently holds an advantage over fellow quarterbacks Lincoln Kienholz and Tavien St. Clair in the ongoing battle for the starting job. “Sayin still leads the Ohio State quarterback battle, while Kienholz looks better than he has in past spring practice periods,” Holbrook noted. “That battle will be one we’re watching closely as the spring hits its halfway point.”
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 203 pounds, Sayin was among the top prospects in the 2024 recruiting class, earning five-star status across all major scouting platforms. Initially committing to Alabama over a host of top programs, he decided to transfer after Nick Saban’s retirement, arriving at Ohio State in time for spring workouts as a true freshman.
During the 2024 season, Sayin made four appearances, completing five of 12 pass attempts for 84 yards and a touchdown—including a 55-yard scoring pass to Bennett Christian against Western Michigan. In high school at Carlsbad (Calif.), he was highly productive, throwing for 7,824 yards, 85 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions.
If Sayin secures the starting role, he will benefit from a talented receiving corps led by standout sophomore Jeremiah Smith, along with Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and Bryson Rodgers.
