Ohio State QBs Face Intense Competition Ahead of Spring Game

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Quarterback competitions are nothing new at Ohio State. The Buckeyes have long been a breeding ground for NFL talent under center, from Dwayne Haskins and Justin Fields to C.J. Stroud. But as the 2025 spring game approaches, the quarterback battle brewing in Columbus may be the most heated—and perhaps the most important—of the Ryan Day era.

With the departure of veteran quarterback Kyle McCord to the transfer portal and the arrival of two high-profile signal-callers, the Buckeyes enter this spring with more uncertainty at the position than they’ve had in years. Yet, that uncertainty has bred excitement, urgency, and perhaps most importantly—competition.

The Contenders: Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and Julian Sayin

Ohio State’s quarterback room features a mix of youth, potential, and raw athleticism. Leading the charge is junior Devin Brown, who spent the last two seasons learning behind Stroud and McCord. Known for his live arm and moxie, Brown was in the thick of the 2023 quarterback competition before suffering a finger injury that allowed McCord to win the job.

Now fully healthy, Brown enters the spring as the most experienced player on the roster. He’s taken more in-game snaps than his competition, and he’s been praised by coaches for his leadership and understanding of the offense. But experience alone won’t win him the job.

Pushing him hard is Lincoln Kienholz, a redshirt freshman from South Dakota who dazzled during his limited opportunities in 2024. Kienholz is a dynamic athlete with the ability to extend plays with his legs, drawing comparisons to former Ohio State standout Braxton Miller. He impressed in practices late last season and has reportedly taken a leap this spring in terms of decision-making and accuracy.

Then there’s the wild card: Julian Sayin, the highly touted five-star freshman who flipped from Alabama to Ohio State after Nick Saban’s retirement sent shockwaves through college football. Sayin was ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 recruiting class and was viewed as one of the most pro-ready high school passers in recent memory. Despite being the youngest in the room, Sayin’s football IQ and precision have already turned heads in practice.

“There’s no clear frontrunner right now,” head coach Ryan Day said after practice last week. “All three guys are making plays, all three are competing, and all three are pushing each other. That’s what we want. That’s what this program demands.”

A Shift in Philosophy?

For Day, the quarterback position has always been a linchpin of success. His reputation as a quarterback guru was cemented through the success of Haskins, Fields, and Stroud—each of whom went on to become first-round NFL Draft picks. But the 2024 season marked a deviation from the standard.

The Buckeyes, while still a College Football Playoff contender, struggled at times to get consistent quarterback play from McCord, especially in key moments against Michigan and in the Orange Bowl loss to Georgia. Those struggles underscored the importance of this year’s quarterback competition—not just for winning games but for reclaiming the offensive identity that made Day’s teams so dangerous.

The result has been a renewed emphasis on development and daily competition.

“We’ve turned up the intensity in the room,” said offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who joined the staff this offseason. “Every rep matters. Every throw, every read, every audible. We’re grading everything. We want the guy who gives us the best chance to win a national title.”

Kelly’s presence has added another layer of intrigue to the competition. Known for his fast-paced offensive schemes and quarterback-friendly systems, Kelly has already begun installing new concepts designed to maximize tempo and stretch defenses both vertically and horizontally.

Insiders suggest that Brown has adjusted well to the new system, but it may be tailor-made for someone like Kienholz, who thrives in space and on the move. Meanwhile, Sayin’s quick release and anticipation could make him a natural fit once he’s fully up to speed.

Inside the QB Room: A Brotherhood Fueled by Fire

Despite the fierce competition, the atmosphere in the quarterback room remains unusually supportive.

“We’re competing like hell, but we’re also brothers,” Brown said after the team’s second spring scrimmage. “We’re helping each other out. If Lincoln makes a mistake, I’ll point it out and vice versa. Same with Julian. We all want to win, and we all know that iron sharpens iron.”

Kienholz echoed that sentiment.

“It’s competitive, but it’s healthy,” he said. “We’re pushing each other every day. At the end of the day, the team comes first. Whoever wins the job, we’ll all support him.”

That dynamic could prove critical as the Buckeyes look to avoid the kind of midseason quarterback shuffle that derailed other high-profile programs in 2024. The coaching staff has been clear: they want to name a starter coming out of spring, or shortly thereafter, to ensure continuity heading into fall camp.

“Every rep is being evaluated,” Day emphasized. “We’re charting accuracy, decision-making, pocket presence, leadership. It’s a holistic approach.”

What the Spring Game Will Reveal

Ohio State’s annual spring game, set for April 13 at Ohio Stadium, is expected to draw over 80,000 fans eager to get their first glimpse of the new-look Buckeyes. While Day has cautioned against reading too much into one scrimmage, he also acknowledges its importance.

“It’s a chance for these guys to show what they can do under the lights, in front of a crowd,” Day said. “That matters. Handling pressure, managing the huddle, making throws in front of 80,000 fans—it’s part of being the quarterback at Ohio State.”

Expect each quarterback to get equal reps with both the first and second teams. Coaches are also expected to call plays that allow each signal-caller to showcase their strengths. For Brown, that means deep throws and tight-window accuracy. For Kienholz, expect read-options, rollouts, and designed runs. Sayin will likely operate in the quick game, showing off his precision and decision-making.

Still, one game may not be enough to decide the battle.

“We’ll have to look at the body of work,” Kelly said. “Spring game is part of it, but it’s not everything. Consistency over time will win the job.”

Implications for the 2025 Season and Beyond

Whoever wins the starting job will take the reins of a team with national championship aspirations. The Buckeyes return a loaded roster featuring future NFL talent at nearly every position—especially at wide receiver, where All-American Carnell Tate leads a group that might be the deepest in the country.

The offensive line, which was a point of concern in 2024, returns four starters and has bulked up in the offseason. Defensively, the Buckeyes are stacked, with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles entering his third year at the helm of one of the top-ranked units in college football.

In other words, the Buckeyes are ready to contend—if they get the quarterback position right.

“There’s no room for error at quarterback,” said former Ohio State great Troy Smith, who’s been attending practices this spring. “You’re the guy. You lead this machine. The talent is there, but it starts and ends with the quarterback.”

And beyond 2025, the implications are even greater. The emergence of Sayin, in particular, could signal a shift in recruiting momentum now that Ohio State has proven it can lure away top-tier talent from SEC powers like Alabama and Georgia. It also raises the stakes for roster management and future portal decisions.

The reality of the modern college football landscape is that only one quarterback can start—and the others may not wait around.

“It’s a delicate balance,” Day admitted. “You want to keep everyone engaged, but you also have to be honest. We’ll be transparent. We’ll make the best decision for the team.”

Final Thoughts

As the countdown to the spring game nears its end, all eyes in Columbus—and across the college football world—are on Ohio State’s quarterback room. Three talented passers, one massive spotlight, and a program that expects nothing short of excellence.

Devin Brown wants to finally seize the moment he’s waited for. Lincoln Kienholz wants to prove he’s more than a curiosity from South Dakota. Julian Sayin wants to show why he was once seen as Alabama’s future—and now possibly Ohio State’s.

This is what elite college football looks like: stars battling for supremacy, pressure mounting by the day, and fans dreaming of titles. The only thing certain is that whoever emerges from this crucible of competition will be more than just a starter. He’ll be the next face of Buckeye football.

And at Ohio State, that’s a role that comes with both great responsibility—and even greater expectations.