Three quarterbacks walk into fall camp, but only one will walk out as the starter. For Ohio State, that simple reality has created the most intriguing quarterback battle in years, and with their season opener just weeks away, the Buckeyes are running out of time to make their choice.
Despite capturing the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, Ohio State faces genuine uncertainty at college football’s most crucial position.
Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, and Tavien St. Clair continue their heated competition as fall camp progresses. The starting quarterback announcement could potentially come just days before the team’s August 30 season opener against Texas.
Who Will Win Ohio State’s Three-Way Quarterback Battle?
On3 analyst J.D. PicKell addressed the ongoing competition, acknowledging how unsettled Ohio State’s 2025 outlook remains. All three quarterbacks continue competing for the starting job with no clear winner emerging from the battle.
“They still have to have a battle throughout the rest of fall camp. Is it Lincoln Kienholz? Is it Julian Sayin? Has Tavian St. Clair turned the tables and shocked everyone? Everyone has a killer fall camp and finds a way to win that job?” Pickell questioned.
However, despite the uncertainty surrounding the competition, Pickell remains confident about Ohio State’s quarterback situation heading into the 2024-25 season.
“Does anyone really think Ohio State’s not going to have a guy at quarterback? Like, even take the names that I just mentioned out of it. Just when you look at the Ohio State logo, you look at their track record. When was the last time Ohio State truly had a bad quarterback?” he argued.
The analyst believes concerns about the quarterback room are misplaced, given the program’s championship standards and recruiting track record.
“If you’re worried about the Ohio State quarterback room, stop. It’s a waste of time… waste of energy,” Pickell stated dismissively about doubters.
What Does Each Quarterback Bring to the Competition?
As fall camp continues, each of the three quarterbacks brings different strengths to this wide-open competition. The spring game provided glimpses of their abilities, but questions remain about who possesses the skills needed to lead a championship contender.
Sayin, a former five-star recruit from California, completed 17 of 24 passes for 175 yards in the 2025 spring game. The redshirt freshman totaled 27 offensive snaps during the 2024 season, showing his arm talent with a 55-yard touchdown.
Meanwhile, Kienholz brings the most game experience to the battle. He appeared in three contests during the 2023 season, completing 10 of 22 passes while gaining valuable real-game reps. The South Dakota native completed 12 of 18 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the 2025 spring game, showing particular strength in his second-half performance.
St. Clair represents the wild card as a true freshman who enrolled in January 2025. The five-star recruit threw for over 10,000 career yards in high school, showcasing the arm strength that made him a coveted prospect. However, he struggled with two interceptions during the 2025 spring game, highlighting the growing pains of adapting to college football.
Why Isn’t PicKell Worried About Ohio State’s Championship Hopes?
Beyond the quarterback uncertainty, PicKell sees little reason for concern about Ohio State’s championship prospects in the 2024-25 campaign. The program’s recruiting foundation and development system create advantages that extend beyond individual player experience.
“There is [sic] a lot of unproven guys, but unproven at a place like Ohio State is different than unproven at a place that’s maybe of a lesser recruiting tier,” he explained about the talent levels throughout the roster.
WHAT IS OHIO STATE’S TOUGHEST AWAY GAME THIS YEAR? FIND OUT WITH PFSN’S NEW SPORTS-FOCUSED AI ASSISTANT
This perspective shapes Pickell’s confidence in the Buckeyes’ ability to repeat as champions. He maintains strong confidence in Ohio State’s title chances for the upcoming season, viewing the quarterback competition as a luxury rather than a liability.
“I think the Buckeyes are going to make some noise coming off of a national title caliber season. It’s not really a surprise, but I think they’re going to win the Big Ten, and I think they will once again obviously be in the College Football Playoff,” Pickell predicted.
The quarterback competition may create uncertainty, but Ohio State’s championship foundation remains strong. Whether Sayin, Kienholz, or St. Clair wins the starting job, the Buckeyes enter another pivotal season with title expectations firmly intact.
The question isn’t whether Ohio State will have a capable quarterback, but rather which of these three talented players will lead their championship defense.
