While there are plenty of questions for Ohio State to answer ahead of the start of its national title defense in 2025, the biggest by far is at quarterback, where Will Howard’s departure left a trio of inexperienced youngsters in his wake. Former five-star Julian Sayin, who transferred from Alabama last offseason after Nick Saban’s retirement, figured to be the heir apparent, but whispers in the spring had been less than impressive, suggesting that redshirt sophomore Lincoln Kienholz had a real shot at stealing the job.
All of which made the Buckeyes’ televised spring game on Saturday a huge early test. This would be the first time the fan base at large could really get an extended look at Sayin and Kienholz and assess where they were at. Was Kienholz really pushing for the starting job, or was Day just being a good politician? Should this position be something to worry about ahead of the spring transfer portal?
Turns out, Ohio State would get an emphatic answer to all of those questions right off the bat. And it was as positive as fans could’ve hoped for.
Julian Sayin makes major statement in Ohio State spring game
Sayin wasn’t the first quarterback to take the field, ceding that honor to Kienholz. But from the very first snap, it was crystal clear who’s really QB1 for the Buckeyes right now…