Day: Competition to become Ohio State's starting QB will be 'fierce'
The search for Will Howard's successor is going to be intense.
Lincoln Kienholz, Julian Sayin, and incoming freshman Tavien St. Clair will be competing to become Ohio State's next starting quarterback, and head coach Ryan Day is excited to watch them compete.
"Oh yeah, it's going to be a very fierce competition," Day said in interview with WBNS 10TV's Dom Tiberi. "You know Lincoln, Julian, and Tavien. We're excited to see those guys compete. We'll chart everything. Everything will be a competition. I feel like we're going to need everybody."
Day continued: "I feel like there will be a lot of growth out of the spring. A lot of opportunity for these guys to take it and run. It's one thing for when you're a backup. It's another thing when you're actually running it."
Howard enjoyed a remarkable campaign in his lone season at Ohio State last year. He passed for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while adding seven rushing scores. The Kansas State transfer won the starting job after beating out Devin Brown, Air Noland, Kienholz, and Sayin for the role. Both Brown and Noland entered the transfer portal after the regular season.
Sayin is the only candidate to throw a touchdown at the collegiate level.
The Buckeyes' next signal-caller will also work with a new play-caller this fall after Chip Kelly joined the Las Vegas Raiders following the program's CFP title run. Wide receiver coach Brian Hartline was elevated to offensive coordinator and will assume play-calling duties.
The reigning national champions will open their 2025 campaign against Texas at home in a Cotton Bowl rematch.