Ohio State Coach Ryan Day Evaluates QB Competition Ahead 2025 Season

Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day is facing a significant quarterback competition heading into the 2025 season to replace Will Howard, who led the team to a national title before departing for the NFL. The primary contenders are Julian Sayin, a highly touted five-star recruit and redshirt freshman, and Lincoln Kienholz, a larger and potentially more athletic sophomore, with both showing growth and promise during preseason practices. Day emphasizes the need for the starting quarterback to command the offense, make routine plays consistently, and demonstrate leadership on and off the field. Despite other quarterbacks on the roster, including freshman Tavien St. Clair, the competition is primarily between Sayin and Kienholz, with Day hoping to name a starter before the season opener against the Texas Longhorns, a challenging matchup. However, the battle remains unsettled as Day continues to evaluate, with experts warning that having no clear leader at quarterback could hinder the team's performance. Additionally, the team faces challenges on defense with a key injury to defensive tackle Eddrick Houston, which could impact depth on the defensive line.