Ryan Day Explains Decision to Avoid Transfer Portal Quarterback, Prioritizing Development of Ohio State’s Talented Young QB Room
In the ever-shifting landscape of college football, the transfer portal has become one of the most significant tools for roster management and program success. In recent years, powerhouse programs have leaned on the portal to shore up depth, plug holes, or even bring in immediate starters at critical positions. The quarterback position, being the most vital on the field, has seen an unprecedented number of transfers and one-year rentals. However, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has chosen a different path heading into the 2025 season. Despite pressure and speculation, Day made the bold decision to pass on bringing in a transfer quarterback this offseason—an intentional move rooted in confidence and development.
Speaking to media during summer camp, Day addressed the buzz head-on, stating clearly that he opted not to add a transfer quarterback because he wanted to fully commit to the three passers already in the Buckeyes’ quarterback room. For Day, it was not just a coaching decision but a cultural one. In a time when patience is rare and instant gratification reigns supreme, Day is betting on continuity, growth, and the power of internal development.
“We didn’t go after a portal quarterback this offseason,” Day said. “Not because we couldn’t. But because we believe in the guys we have here. They’ve earned the chance to compete, to grow, and to lead this program the right way.”
This statement says a lot about Day’s leadership philosophy. It’s not that Ohio State lacked the ability to attract a top-tier quarterback from the portal. In fact, several highly-rated transfer QBs were linked to the Buckeyes throughout the early portal cycle. But Day’s deliberate choice reflects a deep commitment to player development and an internal belief that the team’s future leaders are already in the building.
At the center of that decision are three young quarterbacks, each with unique skill sets and potential. The most talked-about is sophomore Devin Brown, a highly recruited signal-caller from Utah who showed flashes of brilliance in limited action last season. Brown has all the tools—arm strength, mobility, poise—and his development over the offseason has been closely monitored. Coaches and teammates have praised his leadership, focus, and command of the offense during spring and summer practices.
Then there’s Lincoln Kienholz, another promising talent who joined the program with less hype than Brown but has made major strides in understanding Ohio State’s complex offense. Known for his athleticism and football IQ, Kienholz represents the kind of developmental project that can quietly blossom into a star when given the time and support to grow.
Rounding out the trio is Julian Sayin, a five-star freshman from California who flipped to Ohio State late in the 2024 recruiting cycle after re-evaluating his options. Sayin is polished, accurate, and incredibly mature for his age. Though he’s still adjusting to the speed of the college game, his pedigree and preparation make him a real contender to climb the depth chart quickly.
This group of quarterbacks, while young, is arguably one of the most talented and diverse in the country. Yet in today’s college football world—where a single down of uncertainty can send coaches scrambling for an experienced hand—choosing to ride with such an inexperienced room is viewed as a risk. For Day, however, it’s a calculated one.
He’s seen firsthand what investing in quarterbacks can yield. Under Day’s guidance, Ohio State has developed several elite quarterbacks into NFL stars, including Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, and C.J. Stroud. Each of those players had to wait their turn, grow within the system, and trust the process. That foundation of quarterback development is a cornerstone of Day’s tenure—and one he’s not willing to abandon for short-term fixes.
“I think sometimes the portal is seen as the easy way out,” Day explained. “But for us, it’s about building something sustainable. We want guys who understand our system, who live our culture, and who are committed to being Buckeyes through and through.”
It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply within the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Coaches and players alike have embraced the idea that internal development—especially at quarterback—can still be a winning formula, even in a world dominated by fast-track solutions. The message being sent to recruits, families, and current players is loud and clear: If you come to Ohio State, you will be given every opportunity to grow and eventually lead.
This trust in youth is also a reflection of the coaching staff’s ability to build infrastructure around the quarterback. Ohio State’s offensive line remains one of the most consistent in the country, and the skill positions are loaded with experience and talent. Elite receivers like Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, and Emeka Egbuka (should he stay healthy and opt to return) provide a safety net for any young quarterback. A strong running game, spearheaded by Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, adds balance and reduces the pressure on the passing game. And with new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly calling plays, the system is expected to be more quarterback-friendly than ever before.
Kelly, who joined the staff after a high-profile tenure at UCLA, has already made an impression on the young quarterbacks. His reputation for creative play design and quarterback development aligns perfectly with Day’s vision. Together, they form a brain trust that could not only support the current crop of QBs but elevate them into national contenders.
Still, skepticism remains outside of Columbus. Critics argue that not pursuing a seasoned transfer is a gamble that could cost Ohio State dearly in high-stakes games, especially late in the season or during a playoff push. Day, however, remains unfazed.
“We’re going to play the best guy,” he said. “That competition never stops. But I’m confident one of these three can be the guy. And more importantly, we believe they all can develop into the kind of quarterback that wins championships here.”
That confidence isn’t just about football mechanics or stat lines. It’s about leadership, trust, and belief in the process. It’s about creating a room where young quarterbacks are not looking over their shoulders, fearing that one bad game might bring in a transfer to replace them. That stability, Day believes, is vital to true development.
It also plays a huge role in recruiting. High school quarterbacks want to go to programs where they will be developed and valued—not just used as placeholders until the next portal option arrives. Day’s approach signals to future prospects that Ohio State is a program that honors commitment, fosters competition, and believes in the long game.
Of course, this approach requires patience. It may take time for one of the three to fully seize the reins and elevate their play to Ohio State’s sky-high standards. There may be growing pains early in the season. But Day seems comfortable with that, knowing the payoff could be a homegrown star who embodies the program’s values and identity.
The Buckeyes are no strangers to pressure. Expectations in Columbus are always sky-high. Fans want to beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, and return to national championship glory. With a loaded roster on both sides of the ball, 2025 is a golden opportunity for that vision to materialize. And while the quarterback question looms large, Day’s choice to bet on his own guys could ultimately be the difference between a good season and a great one.
If Brown, Kienholz, or Sayin can emerge as a confident, composed leader under center, the ceiling for this team is unlimited. And if that happens, it won’t just be a win for Day’s quarterback room—it will be a validation of his entire coaching philosophy. One rooted not in panic, but in patience. Not in desperation, but in development.
In a sport increasingly defined by quick fixes and transient stars, Ryan Day is choosing something much harder—and potentially much more rewarding. He’s choosing to build.
And if history is any indication, he just might be right.
