Ryan Day Eyes Quarterback Clarity as Ohio State Pursues Historic Goal of Becoming First Back-to-Back National Champions in Program History
Ryan Day expects to have a better idea of where his quarterbacks stand next week, and while much of the conversation around Ohio State this offseason has centered on competition under center, the head coach made it clear that 2025 is about more than just picking a starter. It’s about chasing greatness. It’s about making history. And perhaps more than anything, it’s about leaving behind a legacy that will resonate through the annals of Ohio State football forever.
The Buckeyes enter the 2025 season not just as the defending national champions, but as a team with the rare opportunity to do something no Ohio State team has ever done: repeat. That alone adds layers of pressure, expectation, and narrative to a roster that’s already one of the most scrutinized in college football. For Day and his staff, the mission is twofold — finalize a decision at the most important position on the field and guide this team toward immortality.
The quarterback competition has captured headlines since spring. With Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and Julian Sayin battling for the starting role, the Buckeyes are navigating a process that’s as competitive as it is critical. Each candidate brings unique strengths. Brown has the experience, having been in the system longer and seen the field in high-pressure moments. Kienholz is a dynamic athlete who flashed raw upside last season. Sayin, the true freshman and five-star phenom, is perhaps the most talented but least seasoned of the trio.
Day has maintained that the evaluation will be thorough, that no decision will be rushed, and that the best man will win the job — not just based on potential, but consistency, leadership, and command of the offense. By next week, he expects to see separation. The reps will become more focused. The playbook will narrow toward game-specific installation. And the player who shows the ability to handle the moment, both mentally and physically, will begin to emerge as the leader of the offense.
But while the quarterback decision remains unresolved, there’s no ambiguity about the goals of this team. The players have embraced the idea of legacy. They understand the rarity of their opportunity. Ohio State has won national championships before — in 1942, 1954, 1968, 2002, and now, 2024 — but never in back-to-back years. Not under Woody Hayes. Not under Jim Tressel. Not under Urban Meyer. What this group is chasing would mark the first time in school history that the Buckeyes finish as undisputed national champions in consecutive seasons. That’s the kind of achievement that turns great teams into legends.
It won’t be easy. The Big Ten is deeper than ever, with the additions of USC, Oregon, Washington, and UCLA reshaping the conference landscape. Michigan, despite the departure of Jim Harbaugh, remains a threat. Penn State has one of its most complete rosters in years. Iowa, Wisconsin, and even teams like Maryland and Nebraska can play spoiler on any given Saturday. The road back to the playoff is treacherous, and the target on Ohio State’s back has never been bigger.
Still, Day has reasons for confidence. This may be his deepest team since taking over the program. The offensive line returns key veterans and is buttressed by a wave of young talent. The skill positions are loaded — even with Marvin Harrison Jr. now in the NFL, the wide receiver room remains elite, headlined by Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and Brandon Inniss. The running back duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins gives the Buckeyes a thunder-and-lightning combo that few defenses can handle.
Defensively, the unit that carried Ohio State to a title last season returns nearly intact. JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer anchor the edge. The linebacker corps is fast, experienced, and physical. The secondary, long considered a weak spot, now boasts lockdown corners and safeties with range and versatility. Jim Knowles has quietly built a defense that doesn’t just complement the offense — it dictates games. That balance could be what separates this team from past contenders.
And then there’s the motivation. After three straight losses to Michigan from 2021 to 2023, Ohio State finally exorcised those demons in 2024 with a dominant win in Ann Arbor en route to a national title. That victory was more than just a rivalry statement — it was a cultural turning point. It proved that Day’s process, his staff, and his leadership could deliver at the highest level. But now, the challenge is maintaining that edge. Complacency is the enemy of greatness, and Day knows it.
That’s why everything he does this camp — every decision, every message, every rep — is about reinforcing urgency. He doesn’t want his team to defend a title. He wants them to pursue a new one. There’s a difference. Defending implies passivity. Pursuit requires aggression. It demands hunger, discipline, and daily investment.
And it starts with the quarterback.
Whoever wins the job won’t just be tasked with managing an offense — he’ll be handed the keys to a championship machine. The margin for error will be slim. Expectations will be enormous. And the scrutiny will be relentless. That’s the reality at Ohio State, especially when you’re following in the footsteps of a national championship-winning team.
For Brown, the path is about proving that experience translates into execution. He’s had moments, both good and bad, but he knows the offense inside and out. Kienholz, meanwhile, is trying to show that his athleticism and creativity can be harnessed within the structure of Day’s scheme. And Sayin, the freshman prodigy, is pushing both with his pure arm talent and poise well beyond his years.
The locker room remains united, despite the competition. That speaks to the culture Day has built — one where iron sharpens iron, and internal rivalries don’t fracture the team. Still, time is ticking. The season opener is just weeks away. Soon, someone will have to take the first snap. And once that happens, the legacy chase begins in earnest.
This team isn’t shy about its ambitions. Players and coaches alike have spoken openly about their desire to make history. But they also understand that talk means little without action. Every championship team has talent, but the ones that repeat have something more — a relentless mindset. A refusal to be satisfied. A commitment to the grind, even when the spotlight dims.
That’s what Day is trying to instill in his team now. He’s using every meeting, every film session, every practice as a chance to reinforce standards. He knows how close the margins are. One bad quarter. One untimely turnover. One defensive lapse. That’s all it takes for a season to unravel. There’s no room for entitlement. No time for coasting.
And so, the quarterback competition becomes a metaphor for the season itself. Three talented players, each battling to prove they’re ready. A coaching staff tasked with making the right call. A team watching closely, knowing that leadership starts under center. By next week, Day hopes to have clarity. But even after a starter is named, the work will only intensify.
Whoever takes the reins will do so with the weight of history on his shoulders. But he’ll also have the full backing of a roster that knows exactly what it takes to win a title. The 2024 team climbed the mountain. The 2025 team is determined to do it again — and in doing so, etch their names into a place no other Buckeyes have gone before.
There’s a quiet confidence around this group. It’s not arrogance. It’s belief born from preparation. From scars earned. From lessons learned. They’ve felt the sting of failure. They’ve tasted the sweetness of victory. Now, they want to become legends. Not just champions — repeat champions. That’s the legacy they seek.
And for Ryan Day, the next step in that journey begins with choosing the right quarterback. Because in Columbus, legacies are written with wins. And this fall, history is waiting to be made.
