The revolving door at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center just keeps spinning. It’s wild, really. One minute you're the "quarterback of the future" in Columbus, and the next, you're packing your bags for the ACC or the Big Sky. This is the reality of the ohio state qb transfer cycle in 2026.
If you’ve been following the Buckeyes lately, you know the room looks nothing like it did eighteen months ago. Ryan Day is basically running a high-stakes game of musical chairs. Honestly, it's the only way to survive in modern college football. If you don't start, you leave. Period.
The Lincoln Kienholz Move to Louisville
The biggest recent shocker was Lincoln Kienholz. On January 1, 2026, news broke that he was entering the portal. It wasn't entirely unexpected, but the destination—Louisville—turned some heads. He’s going to play for Jeff Brohm, and word on the street (specifically via Bruce Feldman) is that the NIL package is somewhere around $2.5 million.
That is an insane amount of money for a guy with 36 career pass attempts.
Kienholz was a four-star recruit from South Dakota who flipped from Washington late in the 2023 cycle. He stuck around through the Kyle McCord era. He stayed when Will Howard came in from Kansas State. He even pushed Julian Sayin during the 2025 preseason. But after being the backup to Sayin all through 2025, the writing was on the wall.
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With Sayin returning as a Heisman finalist and five-star freshman Tavien St. Clair waiting in the wings, Kienholz had no path to the field. He’s a talented kid—great mobility, huge arm—but he needs reps. You can't get to the NFL from the bench in Columbus.
Devin Brown and the Long Road to Weber State
Then there’s Devin Brown. This one is a bit of a bummer for fans who loved his energy and those "Buckeye nut" cleats. After losing the battle to Will Howard in 2024, Brown headed to Cal. He thought he’d start there, but it didn't happen. He couldn't beat out Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele.
On January 16, 2026, he officially committed to Weber State.
Think about that journey for a second. He went from a top-50 national recruit at Ohio State to an FCS school. The silver lining? He’s reuniting with Eric Kjar, his old high school coach. It's a "reset" move. Sometimes you just have to go where you're guaranteed to play, even if the stadium is smaller and the spotlight is dimmer.
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Why the Ohio State QB Transfer Trend Won't Stop
Why does this keep happening? It's simple: Ryan Day recruits too well.
When you sign a five-star like Julian Sayin or Tavien St. Clair every single year, the guys in the middle get squeezed out. Julian Sayin basically broke the system in 2025. He led the nation in completion percentage ($78.4%$) and was a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year. When you have a guy like that, nobody else is getting on the field unless it's a blowout.
The Buckeyes also added Eli Brickhandler from Houston Christian back in May 2025 for depth, and they just hosted veterans like Justyn Martin and Ryan Staub for visits. They are constantly looking for insurance policies.
Current State of the Room (Early 2026)
- Julian Sayin: The undisputed king. He’s a true sophomore with a record-breaking 2025 season under his belt.
- Tavien St. Clair: The freshman phenom. People are already calling him the next big thing, and he’ll likely be the primary backup in 2026.
- Luke Fahey: The newcomer from California. He's a three-star recruit who provides long-term depth.
It's a "survival of the fittest" environment. Ryan Day has shown he will go to the portal to get a starter (like Will Howard) if he doesn't trust the guys on the roster. That sends a signal to everyone else: Perform or we will find someone who can.
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What This Means for 2026
The ohio state qb transfer portal movement tells us that the program is prioritizing immediate, elite production over "developing" guys for three or four years. If you aren't the starter by your second or third year, the staff is basically encouraging you to find a new home. It sounds harsh, but it's how you stay in the top five.
Louisville is getting a hungry, unproven talent in Kienholz. Weber State is getting a veteran with Big Ten experience in Brown. And Ohio State? They’re betting the house on Julian Sayin and the next wave of superstars.
Actionable Insights for Following the Portal:
If you want to keep up with how these moves affect the Buckeyes' championship odds, keep a close eye on the "Spring Window."
- Watch the Backup Battle: If Tavien St. Clair doesn't look like a clear No. 2 by April, expect Day to grab a veteran "insurance" QB from the portal.
- Monitor NIL Trends: The $2.5 million figure for Kienholz suggests the market for "high-upside backups" is exploding. This will lead to more transfers, not fewer.
- Check the Chemistry: With 30+ players leaving the program this cycle, the locker room dynamic in Columbus is shifting. Watch how the new defensive transfers like Qua Russaw and James Smith integrate with the remaining offensive core.