Who's QB1? Ohio State head coach Ryan Day still debating on starting quarterback – keeping Texas on its toes for August 30 opener
The Buckeyes head coach spoke to the media at Big Ten Media Days this week about his quarterback battle. He is playing coy, to say the least.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was asked about his quarterback battle at Big Ten Media Days this week. The defending national champs are having to replace Will Howard and it was "neck and neck" after the spring game.
Now, the head coach gives an update on where things stand.
“Same, because it’s hard to make any progress unless you’re actually on the field playing football, but I think both guys have gotten stronger,” Day said earlier Tuesday at Big 10 Media Days in Las Vegas. “It will be interesting to see once we get done with our summer program with (strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti) next week, you know, who our “Gold” and who’s “Iron” Buckeyes. That will be big for the leadership, but guys have taken leadership roles.
“They’ve been throwing with the wide receivers. I ask those guys all the time, and they like both of them. We’re going to put them in as many competitive situations as we possibly can to figure out who handles that the best. We’ve got to be on point week one. We can’t be messing around. I know that we’ll need all of those guys in that room this year. When you look at Will, he was a guy who was an older guy, who was experienced, and he was able to sustain the entire season. That’s not always the way it is.
“We have to build depth in that room as well. I’ve got a feeling they’ll all play throughout the season, but it will be a fierce competition to be who the starter is.”
New Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline will have his work cut out for him regardless of who wins the competition.
Kienholz did not record any stats last season and Sayin was just 5-for-12 for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Our very own Brandon Little covers the Ohio State Buckeyes better than anyone. He gave his thoughts on the situation on Tuesday.
"Once again, Day is naming a new starting quarterback—something that’s become routine during his tenure in Columbus," Little said. "Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz are battling for the job, and the former five-star Alabama recruit is the favorite to win it. However, some worry that Sayin not being able to clearly pull away is a sign that he may not be the quarterback many believe he is.
"If Sayin isn’t ready to be the leader and playmaker the Buckeyes need, they likely won’t reach their ultimate goals in 2025. It’s that simple," Little said. "We saw something similar unfold with Kyle McCord a couple of seasons ago. How quickly a starter is named in fall camp may be very telling."
Texas is bringing arguably the top defense in the country to Ohio Stadium August 30. If the Buckeyes are hoping to open up the 2025 season and national title defense with a win, it will need its quarterback situation settled way before then.
Anthony Hill Jr., Colin Simmons, and Michael Taaffe will be licking their proverbial chops for whomever is under center. I can tell you that.
