Eli Brickhandler, a transfer from Houston Christian, has committed to Ohio State, adding a fourth scholarship quarterback to the Buckeyes’ 2025 roster.

In a move that adds experience and much-needed depth to a quarterback room in flux, Eli Brickhandler, a transfer from Houston Christian University, has committed to Ohio State, becoming the fourth scholarship quarterback on the Buckeyes’ 2025 roster. His arrival comes at a critical juncture for the program, which is navigating a transitional era following the departure of former starter Kyle McCord and amid ongoing uncertainty about who will ultimately lead the offense this fall.

Brickhandler’s commitment doesn’t come with the same buzz as some of the five-star recruits that have passed through Columbus in recent years. Yet his journey, perseverance, and potential to provide mature leadership and savvy backup capabilities give the Buckeyes a quietly important piece in what could be one of the most wide-open quarterback competitions of the Ryan Day era.

Brickhandler spent the past two seasons at Houston Christian, an FCS program competing in the Southland Conference. While he wasn’t a household name nationally, those inside HCU football saw glimpses of brilliance from the dynamic quarterback, who showcased a dual-threat style that often put defenses in a bind. In his final season, Brickhandler completed 205 of 330 passes for 2,512 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions, while also adding 456 yards and 6 scores on the ground.

Those numbers reflect a quarterback capable of making plays with both his arm and his legs—something Ohio State’s coaching staff has lacked in recent years and has seemingly placed renewed value on heading into the 2025 season. The Buckeyes haven’t had a true dual-threat QB since Justin Fields, and Brickhandler’s athleticism gives the offense a flexible insurance policy if mobility becomes a bigger part of the system.

While Brickhandler isn’t expected to step in and compete for the starting job immediately, his experience at the college level, regardless of division, is significant. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he brings a college-ready body and a mental toughness forged through the grind of playing at a smaller program—where nothing is guaranteed, and every snap must be earned.

With Brickhandler’s addition, Ohio State now has four scholarship quarterbacks for the 2025 season:

• Devin Brown (redshirt sophomore)
• Lincoln Kienholz (redshirt freshman)
• Julian Sayin (true freshman, Alabama transfer)
• Eli Brickhandler (graduate transfer)

Prior to his arrival, Ohio State was walking a precarious tightrope. With only three quarterbacks on scholarship, the risk of injury or attrition loomed large. Sayin, though highly touted, is still learning the Buckeyes’ system after arriving from Alabama this spring. Kienholz remains an intriguing long-term option but has limited in-game experience. And Brown, the presumed starter entering the offseason, has yet to fully cement his hold on the job, especially after missing valuable time with injuries.

Ryan Day and newly hired offensive coordinator Chip Kelly have emphasized the importance of competition and versatility in their quarterback room. Adding a player like Brickhandler doesn’t just bolster depth—it brings in a player who knows what it means to battle every day just to get on the field.

This is a quarterback room still finding its identity. Brickhandler’s presence won’t overshadow the young blue-chip talent, but it could stabilize the group behind the scenes.

Though his name may not carry the weight of a Quinn Ewers or C.J. Stroud, Brickhandler brings several underappreciated qualities that could prove vital over the course of a long season:

1. Mobility and Toughness: Brickhandler is elusive in the pocket and has shown the ability to make plays on the run. He’s not shy about contact and is known for extending plays even when things break down.
2. Maturity and Leadership: As a graduate transfer, Brickhandler has already spent multiple seasons in a college football locker room. That maturity could make him a valuable mentor to younger QBs, especially in helping them prepare for game weeks.
3. Low Maintenance Competitor: He doesn’t come with transfer drama or NIL distractions. Brickhandler is the kind of player who wants to compete, contribute, and help the team in any way he can.
4. System Flexibility: While the Buckeyes run a pro-style offense, Chip Kelly’s involvement suggests more diversity and pace. Brickhandler’s dual-threat ability meshes well with Kelly’s tendencies to keep defenses off balance.

In many ways, Brickhandler offers a glimpse into how the transfer portal can be used effectively—not just to land stars, but to shore up essential positional depth with the right cultural fits.

The million-dollar question is how Brickhandler fits into the quarterback pecking order.

Right now, Devin Brown is still likely to take the first snaps in fall camp, but insiders suggest Julian Sayin is closing the gap quickly. Sayin, a former five-star recruit, looked poised and confident in Ohio State’s spring game. His accuracy and football IQ have impressed coaches early, and there’s real belief he could contend for the job sooner rather than later.

Lincoln Kienholz, who enrolled early last year, has potential but remains raw. He struggled with consistency in practice and may need more time to develop.

This leaves Brickhandler in a unique position. He’s unlikely to start barring injuries, but his role as a veteran reserve and potential situational weapon could be valuable. If Ohio State wants to keep defenses guessing or needs someone to steady the ship in a pinch, Brickhandler is more than capable of stepping in. He could also emerge as a key voice in the film room and sideline mentor during games.

Think of him as the Buckeyes’ version of a seasoned bullpen arm in baseball—he may not be the closer, but he’s crucial when things get dicey.

When Ryan Day first took over as head coach in 2019, Ohio State’s quarterback blueprint was simple: find elite arm talent, develop precision passers, and surround them with explosive skill players. It worked brilliantly with Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud. But last season revealed the limitations of relying solely on pure passers without mobility or improvisational skills.

Day has spent the offseason re-evaluating that approach. The hiring of Chip Kelly is the most visible sign of change. Known for his creativity, tempo, and emphasis on quarterback movement, Kelly is expected to inject new dimensions into the offense. Brickhandler’s mobility could make him an ideal practice scout team QB and a developmental backup should the Buckeyes lean further into zone-read and RPO concepts.

Ohio State is also adjusting to the new normal of roster management, where scholarship numbers fluctuate more than ever. Brickhandler’s commitment gives the program flexibility and insurance that was sorely needed.

Ohio State enters the 2025 season with championship aspirations, even as the team navigates an evolving Big Ten landscape. USC, Oregon, Washington, and UCLA have joined the conference, and competition has never been more intense.

With Michigan replacing Jim Harbaugh, Penn State loaded with veteran talent, and new challenges from the West Coast powers, the Buckeyes need every edge they can get. The margin for error is razor-thin, and quarterback health is paramount.

Having four scholarship quarterbacks means Ohio State can weather injuries, develop talent at a sustainable pace, and avoid the kind of depth crisis that has crippled other programs in recent years. Brickhandler’s presence is a quiet win for roster stability.

Brickhandler’s football journey is anything but conventional. He began his career at College of the Canyons, a junior college in California, before transferring to Houston Christian. From JUCO to FCS to the Big Ten, it’s a remarkable path—one that reflects the changing nature of college football and the resilience required to keep moving forward.

While fans may overlook the name at first glance, Brickhandler’s story resonates with players and coaches alike. It’s about grit, persistence, and seizing an opportunity when it finally arrives. He embodies the idea that not every key contributor needs to be a five-star prospect.

Eli Brickhandler’s commitment to Ohio State won’t dominate headlines or set message boards ablaze. But in the world of college football, where quarterback attrition is high and continuity is rare, adding a player like Brickhandler is a smart, calculated move.

He shores up a position group that desperately needed an extra arm. He offers leadership, athleticism, and maturity. And while he may never start a game in Scarlet and Gray, don’t be surprised if his contributions prove vital during a long, grueling season.

As the Buckeyes chase another Big Ten title and a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, depth, stability, and readiness at quarterback could make all the difference. In that sense, Brickhandler may have just become one of the most important under-the-radar additions of Ohio State’s offseason.