For the third consecutive year, the Buckeyes will have a new quarterback under center. For the second time in three years, it’ll be a first-year starter.
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Ryan Day is entering a third-straight season in which his quarterback has never started a game for Ohio State. From Kyle McCord’s first year in 2023 to Will Howard’s only season in Columbus in 2024, to whoever wins the job for 2025, Buckeye fans will be waiting to see how the new guy looks when the games count.
It’s always a big concern for the fans when Ohio State has to break in a new quarterback, even when the position hasn’t been a problem under Day. Don’t believe me? Go back and check out OSU message board comments after the first Oregon game from last season, several early games in the McCord era, and even early in C.J. Stroud’s first season.
Buckeye fans, like many other groups of fans, are not big on patience. They expect instant excellence, because they’ve usually gotten it, even if they have no right to have such expectations.
The leap from high school to college is a massive one for a quarterback. Pre-snap and post-snap reads are required, and they must be quick and on point. That’s before the quarterback even gets into his drop, displays the requisite mechanics, and makes an accurate throw.
It isn’t comforting to hear Day talk about how the quarterback battle is still ongoing. Many fans, pundits, and former Buckeyes have already anointed Julian Sayin as the starter over Lincoln Kienholz. Day would have you believe the competition is still neck and neck. Of course, in the transfer portal era, it is to Day’s benefit that he says that whether he believes it or not.
Regardless of whether it’s Sayin — I believe it will be — or Kienholz, the concern entering any season after losing a veteran quarterback is whether the new starter will show maturity, make good decisions, and execute in a way that enables the team to be successful in the increasingly competitive world of FBS college football.
Kienholz has thrown the most collegiate passes of the two main contenders for the job, The South Dakota native completed 10-of-22 passes in 2023 for 111 yards without tossing a touchdown pass or an interception. Those 22 attempts came in three appearances. Kienholz played in two games last season but did not record any statistics.
Sayin made four appearances in 2024 after transferring from Alabama. He saw action in four games, completing five of his 12 pass attempts for 84 yards and one touchdown without an interception.
Both played well in the Ohio State Spring Game, although Kienholz had to recover from a nervy start.
Regardless of which player becomes the starter — or if they both play until one can clearly separate himself — the quarterback position is one that will be closely scrutinized early in the season. Fans will be understandably concerned about it.
There is talent at the position, but with any new starter there’s a bit of trepidation until they show they can execute on the field.