Sports

Ohio State’s $1.1M Investment In 5-Star Transfer QB Yielding Low Return After Concerning Update

#Ohio State Buckeyes
by Last Updated
Ohio State QB Julian Sayin during spring practice.

© Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images


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The Ohio State football team has a quarterback battle on its hands this spring according to head coach Ryan Day. He provided an update on the QB1 race this week with the team continuing through offseason training.

At the start of the spring session, the job seemed transfer passer Julian Sayin’s to lose. A former five-star recruit, he was expected to be Will Howard’s heir apparent after moving on from Alabama.

Early feedback on the quarterback has been concerning, however. Sayin’s reportedly been inconsistent under center with the offense.

That’s to be expected in some ways. Despite receiving a No. 3 overall ranking in the 2024 recruiting class, Sayin’s yet to take a meaningful snap. He did not stay at Alabama long enough to see the field. He saw action in four blowouts with the Buckeyes last year.

In that limited experience, he competed 5-of-12 passes for 84 yards. Still, he was poised to land the keys to the offense in 2025.

Julian Sayin entered the spring at No. 1 on the depth chart. Longtime reserve Lincoln Kienholz, who was QB3 behind Sayin last year in Columbus, was the first option off the bench.

Five-star freshman Tavien St. Clair is talented but inexperienced. He’s currently positioned behind both Sayin and Kienholz.

Movement at the top could be on the way, though. Kienholz has looked more impressive than Sayin through the spring session. Ryan Day says the two passers are “neck and neck” in the QB race.

Julian Sayin hasn’t lived up to his $1.1 million bill thus far.

On3 Sports set Sayin’s NIL valuation at seven figures moving into his second season with the Buckeyes. The school made a significant investment in the passer after plucking him from the transfer portal last year.

Unfortunately, he’s been inconsistent in his first stint as the team’s top option.

The most recent feedback states Sayin’s been up and down in live action. That’s to be expected from a first-year starter. Most probably didn’t plan on Lincoln Kienholz outplaying him, though. Sayin’s QB1 status seems in serious doubt with some tabbing his competition as the better option.

Ohio State’s seen Sayin’s potential over the last year-plus. He’s been able to flash a quick release and beautiful deep ball.

He’s also been late on his reads, which suggests the game hasn’t quite slowed down for him in going into Year 2.

Ohio State poured money into the player expected to be the next face of the program. That investment could still prove to be a successful one down the road.

For now, Julian Sayin’s status as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback is unclear. He’ll continue to battle Lincoln Kienholz throughout the spring and potentially into the fall before a decision is made. We’ll then find out which passer is tasked with leading the team into a Week 1 matchup against Texas as it looks to defend its national title.