**“Ryan Day Keeps QB Battle Wide Open — Excludes Julian Sayin from Big Ten Media Days but Praises Five-Star’s Growth Amid Fierce Ohio State Competition”**

The quarterback position at Ohio State has long been one of the most scrutinized and celebrated roles in all of college football. With a legacy of prolific passers and Heisman contenders, the man under center in Columbus carries not only the weight of lofty expectations but also the dreams of a fanbase that expects nothing less than championship contention. As the Buckeyes prepare for the 2025 season, that weight is shared by a trio of talented signal-callers—Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, and Tavien St. Clair. And as head coach Ryan Day addressed the media during Big Ten Media Days, it became increasingly clear that the competition remains very much alive, with no firm declaration on who will ultimately emerge as the team’s starting quarterback.

The biggest surprise wasn’t necessarily that Day declined to name a starting quarterback—it was that Julian Sayin, the former Alabama five-star phenom and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, wasn’t among the players brought to represent Ohio State at the event. While that omission may raise eyebrows from the outside, Day offered insights that painted a more nuanced picture of where the competition stands and why Sayin’s absence should not be interpreted as a slight or signal of fading confidence in the young quarterback’s future.

Sayin, who transferred to Ohio State after one year with the Crimson Tide, arrived in Columbus with immense hype and high expectations. His decision to leave Alabama followed a coaching change and a crowded depth chart in Tuscaloosa, and his arrival at Ohio State immediately injected new intrigue into an already compelling quarterback room. In the Buckeyes’ spring game, Sayin looked the part of a future star, completing 17 of 24 passes for 175 yards while showcasing poise, accuracy, and command well beyond his years. His performance earned praise from coaches and analysts alike, with many projecting him as the frontrunner to win the starting job.

Despite that strong showing, Day made it clear that no decision has been made and that all three quarterbacks remain in the thick of the battle. “We’re not ready to name a starter yet,” Day said at the podium, underscoring the competitive nature of the position and the importance of leadership, consistency, and mental toughness in determining the eventual starter. “We want someone who can lead the team and command the huddle. These things don’t get decided in July—they get decided when the lights come on in August.”

That emphasis on leadership and command may offer insight into why Sayin wasn’t chosen to represent the team at Big Ten Media Days. It’s not unusual for coaches to select veteran leaders and proven starters for such events, and with the quarterback competition still unresolved, Day may have opted to avoid sending any signals about a presumed frontrunner. But that doesn’t mean Sayin’s stock is falling. On the contrary, Day was quick to commend the young quarterback’s development and standing within the team. “Julian has been very impressive,” Day noted. “He’s building credibility in the locker room. That’s huge. It takes time, but he’s doing it the right way.”

Indeed, Sayin’s journey to becoming QB1 at Ohio State seems to be unfolding in phases. First came the decision to transfer, which instantly boosted the Buckeyes’ quarterback room in terms of talent and depth. Then came the spring game, where Sayin’s talent was on full display. Now comes the hard part—proving to coaches, teammates, and himself that he can handle the pressure, lead the team, and make the right decisions on and off the field.

That process won’t be easy, especially with formidable competition from Lincoln Kienholz and Tavien St. Clair. Kienholz, a redshirt sophomore, has been in the system longer and has earned praise for his work ethic and grasp of the playbook. His familiarity with the offense gives him an edge in understanding the nuances of Day’s schemes, and he’s shown flashes of ability that suggest he could be ready to take the reins if called upon. Meanwhile, St. Clair, a true freshman, has dazzled coaches with his athleticism and upside. Though he’s the youngest of the group, his potential is undeniable, and he’s reportedly made significant strides in recent months.

What makes this quarterback battle especially fascinating is the contrast in styles and experiences among the three contenders. Sayin is the highly polished passer with the five-star pedigree. Kienholz is the steady presence who has paid his dues and knows the system inside and out. St. Clair is the rising star whose ceiling may be the highest of them all. Each brings something different to the table, and Day appears committed to letting the process play out without prematurely tipping his hand.

The timing of the decision is also critical. Ohio State opens the season on August 30 in a high-profile matchup against Texas—a game that could set the tone for the entire year and have College Football Playoff implications from the outset. Whoever wins the starting job will be expected to perform at an elite level from day one, and Day’s careful approach reflects the importance of making the right call, not the fast one.

For Sayin, that means continuing to do the little things—earning the respect of his teammates, mastering the playbook, and showing that he can lead not just with his arm but with his voice and his presence. In many ways, this competition is less about who has the strongest arm or the most accolades and more about who can earn the trust of the locker room and the coaching staff. And according to Day, Sayin is on the right path. “He’s done everything we’ve asked,” Day said. “He works hard. He studies. He competes. That’s all you can ask from a young guy.”

It’s also worth considering the broader context of Ohio State’s quarterback situation. The Buckeyes are coming off a year that saw Will Howard guide the team to a national championship, and the standard for quarterback play in Columbus remains sky-high. Whoever steps into that role will be expected to maintain that level of excellence, navigate the pressures of Big Ten competition, and lead a team that has legitimate playoff aspirations. That’s a tall order for anyone, let alone a young quarterback still adjusting to a new environment.

Sayin’s pedigree suggests he’s up to the task, but pedigree alone won’t win him the job. He’ll need to continue proving himself every day in practice, in film sessions, and in the moments that don’t always show up on stat sheets. Leadership is cultivated through consistency, and Day seems determined to ensure that whoever earns the title of starting quarterback has truly earned it in every sense.

Meanwhile, for Ohio State fans, the uncertainty may be frustrating, but it’s also a sign of a healthy program. Few teams in the country can claim to have three legitimate options at quarterback, each with the talent to start at most other schools. That kind of depth creates competition, and competition breeds excellence. As Day put it, “Iron sharpens iron.”

As the calendar inches closer to August 30, the spotlight on the quarterback competition will only intensify. Practices will be dissected, scrimmages will be analyzed, and every rep will carry added weight. Sayin, Kienholz, and St. Clair will each have opportunities to seize the moment and stake their claim. For Sayin, those moments may come with added scrutiny given his recruiting ranking and high-profile transfer. But if his spring performance and Day’s comments are any indication, he’s handling the pressure with maturity and focus.

In many ways, this is the moment Sayin has been preparing for his entire football life. From his days as a high school phenom to his brief stint at Alabama to now being in the thick of a quarterback battle at one of college football’s true blue bloods, he’s followed a path defined by ambition and belief in his ability. And while he wasn’t on the podium at Big Ten Media Days, his story is far from written.

Ryan Day’s decision to keep the competition open and avoid naming a starter reflects a commitment to process over publicity, substance over symbolism. The message to all three quarterbacks is clear: nothing is handed out, everything is earned. And for Julian Sayin, that may be just the kind of challenge he needs to rise to the occasion and fulfill the potential that brought him to Columbus in the first place.

As the Buckeyes march toward a pivotal season opener against Texas, all eyes will remain fixed on the quarterback position. Whether it’s Sayin, Kienholz, or St. Clair who ultimately gets the nod, one thing is certain: the decision will be made with great care, deep consideration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence—the same principles that have defined Ohio State football for generations. And for Julian Sayin, the journey is just getting started.