If you’ve spent any time in Columbus lately, you know the vibe. It’s a mix of obsession and anxiety. Nowhere is that more evident than when people start talking about the Ohio State Buckeyes football quarterback situation. It's the most scrutinized job in the state, maybe the country.
Honestly, the pressure is unreal. You aren't just expected to win; you’re expected to throw for 40 touchdowns and never lose to that team up north. Last year, we saw Will Howard steady the ship and lead the team to a national title, but he’s gone now, likely headed to the middle rounds of the NFL Draft. Now? It’s the Julian Sayin show.
The Rise of Julian Sayin
Julian Sayin isn’t your typical redshirt freshman. Most kids his age are still figuring out where the library is on campus, but Sayin spent 2025 lighting up the Big Ten.
He didn't just play; he dominated. He broke the NCAA single-season completion percentage record, hitting 78.4% of his passes. Think about that for a second. Bo Nix held the old record at 77.4%, and Sayin basically said, "Hold my Gatorade."
Coming over from Alabama after Nick Saban retired was the best thing that could’ve happened to this offense. Ryan Day’s system needs a distributor who can handle a lightning-fast release. Sayin has that "plus" anticipation that coaches drool over. He doesn't wait for Jeremiah Smith to get open; he throws him open.
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There’s a reason he was a Heisman finalist in his first year as a starter. He finished the 2025 campaign with 30 touchdowns and over 3,300 yards. And yeah, those eight weekly honors weren't just for show.
Why the 2026 Depth Chart is Terrifying (For Everyone Else)
If you thought the room would get thinner after Devin Brown left for Cal and Air Noland headed to Memphis, you haven't been paying attention. Ohio State's recruiting under Chip Kelly and Ryan Day is basically a "rich get richer" scenario.
As we look toward the 2026 season, the Ohio State Buckeyes football quarterback room is arguably the deepest in the country. Here is how the pecking order is actually shaking out:
- Julian Sayin (The Incumbent): He’s the undisputed QB1. Unless something wild happens, he’s the face of the program for the next two years.
- Tavien St. Clair (The Local Hero): A five-star kid from Bellefontaine. He’s huge—6'4", 225 pounds—and he chose the Buckeyes over everyone. He’s the future, and honestly, he might be the most physically gifted guy in the room.
- Justyn Martin (The Veteran Depth): Just landed from the transfer portal via Maryland. He’s there to provide a steady hand if things go south.
- Luke Fahey: The incoming freshman who rounds out the scholarship numbers.
It’s a weird dynamic. You’ve got a Heisman finalist in Sayin, but you’ve also got a guy like St. Clair breathing down his neck. That kind of internal competition is what keeps the Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff conversation every single year.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Ryan Day’s QBs
There’s this narrative that Ryan Day just plugs in any five-star and they put up Madden numbers. It's not that simple.
Look at what happened with Lincoln Kienholz. He’s a talented kid, but he struggled to jump Sayin on the depth chart. The system requires a level of "post-snap processing" that most college kids just don't have. Will Howard had it because he’d played a million games at Kansas State. Sayin has it because he’s a football savant.
The 2025 season showed that Day is willing to let a young guy "let it rip." Before the Texas game last August, Day told Sayin to play with confidence because that’s what the preparation was for. The result? A 12-2 record and a deep playoff run.
The Jeremiah Smith Factor
You can't talk about the Ohio State Buckeyes football quarterback without mentioning the guys catching the balls. Sayin is elite, sure, but having Jeremiah Smith out there makes life a whole lot easier.
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Smith is basically a cheat code. Between him and Carnell Tate, Sayin has windows that other quarterbacks only dream of. When you have receivers who can win 50/50 balls at a 90% clip, your completion percentage is going to look legendary.
What to Watch for Next
If you're a Buckeyes fan, the next few months are all about the "transition." We're seeing a shift in how the roster is built. With the 2026 season on the horizon, the focus is on keeping Sayin healthy and getting Tavien St. Clair ready for the inevitable day he has to step in.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Watch the Spring Game closely: This will be the first real look at Tavien St. Clair in a live "Horseshoe" environment. If he looks as good as the scouts say, the hype train will be uncontrollable.
- Monitor the Portal: While Justyn Martin is in, don't be surprised if the Buckeyes look for one more "preferred walk-on" type with experience, just in case the injury bug bites.
- Check the Betting Odds: Sayin opened with top-five Heisman odds for 2026. If those shift, it usually means something is happening in camp that the public hasn't seen yet.
The era of the "game manager" is over in Columbus. Whether it's Sayin's precision or St. Clair's raw power, the Buckeyes are officially back to having the most dangerous quarterback room in the nation.
Next Steps for Buckeyes Fans:
Keep an eye on the official 2026 spring roster release to see if there are any surprise weight gains or jersey number changes. You should also track Julian Sayin's NIL partnerships, as they often signal his long-term commitment to staying for his junior year versus exploring an early NFL jump.