Ryan Day Lays Out Expectations in Heated Ohio State Quarterback Battle
The race to replace Will Howard as Ohio State’s starting quarterback is officially underway, and head coach Ryan Day made it crystal clear what he expects from the contenders. With Howard leaving behind a championship legacy after leading the Buckeyes to a National Title in his lone season following a transfer from Kansas State, the next signal-caller has massive shoes to fill.
At the forefront of the competition is Julian Sayin, a transfer from Alabama who saw limited action last season. However, he faces stiff competition from Lincoln Kienholz and highly touted freshman Tavien St. Clair. As spring practice kicks off, Day didn’t mince words about what he needs to see from his quarterbacks.
“They’re young. We need them to be tough. We need them to be a leader,” Day stated, per Chase Brown of Eleven Warriors. “Long way to go on it. Don’t have any evaluation on it now. Gonna be a big spring for those guys.”
Whoever emerges as the starter won’t have time to ease into the role. The Buckeyes open the season with a blockbuster showdown against Texas a rematch of last year’s College Football Playoff semifinal, where Ohio State triumphed 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl Classic. The high-stakes battle will also feature a marquee quarterback duel against Texas’ Arch Manning, providing an immediate test for Ohio State’s new leader under center.
Fortunately, an intense offseason competition will ensure that whoever wins the job is battle-tested and ready for the challenge.
