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Ryan Day Eliminates Quarterback From Starting Battle

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Apr 29, 2025 2:17 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes outlasted 11 other programs to become the first-ever 12-team championship in the history of the sport earlier this year. The win was a moment of vindication for head coach Ryan Day, who had been criticized by the fansbase for inconsistency and lack of results in big games over the last few years.

The Buckeyes were able to put all of the pieces together, but many of those players graduated or left for the NFL Draft. 14 Ohio State players were drafted last week, one shy of the all-time record held by Georgia after their second national title win.

One of those players was Day's starting quarterback, Will Howard - now with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Spring ball has started and there's a few months left until Ohio State's season opener, but Day is already one step closer to finding his new starter.

Day says that the starting quarterback job has now come down to a "two-horse race" between Lincon Kineholz and Julian Sayin. Five-star freshman Tavien St. Clair, in Day's eyes, needs more time to get adjusted to college football before he's ready to start.

“I think it’s fair to say that Tavien probably has the longest way to go just because of just the lack of experience,” Day said.

COLUMBUS, OHIO - NOVEMBER 23: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)Jason Mowry/Getty Images

“I think it’s easy to see – you guys saw it on Saturday, the talent and his ability to run, his athleticism, the arm. He has all those things. He just needs to play more, he needs to see it more. The game's just moving really fast for him right now but he’s picking it up, he’s getting it every day. So, I’d say he probably has the farthest way to go and then Lincoln and Julian are pretty much neck-and-neck right now."

Ohio State went to the transfer portal to find a quarterback last season, but that won't be necessary this time around.

As the Game 1 starting roster is finalized, we'll see which direction Day decides to go in when the Buckeyes open the season on August 30 in a Cotton Bowl rematch against Texas.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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