Ryan Day makes something clear regarding QB battle ahead of next Buckeyes season

If there’s one thing that’s hard to achieve in the NCAAF, it’s reaching the National Championship Game—but defending that title the following year is even tougher. That’s exactly the challenge the Ohio State Buckeyes will face, as every other program will have them in their sights, eager to knock them off. To meet that challenge, Ryan Day will look to solidify a competitive roster capable of making another big run.

Will Howard’s departure to the NFL left the starting quarterback spot wide open for the Buckeyes, and it will now be up to head coach and his staff to determine who will take over that prestigious role.

Addressing the situation in a recent media session, Day offered a brief analysis of the options he has as he works toward naming his new signal-caller.

“I think there’s positives and negatives to everything,” the experienced head coach said to the press. “I think you can look at it that way. There’s positives, I guess, to having an incumbent.”

Head Coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes talks to his players during the third quarter of the Ohio State Spring Game at Ohio Stadium on April 12, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio.

“The positives of having a competition is that every day you’ve got to bring it,” Day also added. “And every day you’ve got to put your best guys out there to figure out who’s making progress and who isn’t.”

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Positive vibes in the QB room

Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz are two of the top contenders for the starting role, with Sayin perhaps having the slight edge. Despite the internal competition, a positive atmosphere prevails in the Buckeyes’ locker room—something that gives head coach Ryan Day peace of mind.

“I’d say we’re friends, honestly,” Kienholz said. “I think just the past two years Julian and I have developed a good friendship and good relationship toward each other. Then obviously with Tavien (St. Clair) coming in this year as well, I think we’re all cool towards each other and we all want each other to get better and be the best we can.”

He also added: “It’s a little different. He’s a Cali kid, I’m from South Dakota,” Kienholz said. “So I mean there’s some things that we have an interest together, but then there’s also a lot of things that we do on our free time. I think this summer a big thing was golf. I golfed with Julian a couple times this summer, so I think that’s something we kind of share interest in.”

The rise of Sayin

Touted as one of the leading candidates to be Ohio State’s starting quarterback come Week 1, Julian Sayin highlighted his growth throughout the offseason—a development that’s greatly helping him step into a leadership role on this team.

“I feel like I’m developing in that area. In the weight room, with (head strength) Coach Mickey Marotti,” we’ve been focusing on that trying to improve (my) vocal leadership, and just as a team by growing our leaders,” Sayin said Tuedsay during a preseason media availability. “I feel like I’m developing in that role and getting more comfortable in that.”