COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — It is an open competition as Ohio State works its way toward selecting a starting quarterback, and that decision will come down the road.  

Quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler said the priority right now is daily improvement, it’s not about finding a starting quarterback.  

All three players are very talented: Julian Sayin and Tavien St. Clair are five-star recruits and Lincoln Keinholz is a four-star recruit. Lincoln has also been in the program the longest, arriving in the summer of 2023. Sayin came to Ohio State in January 2024 and St. Clair arrived this winter. They are the only three quarterbacks on the roster. 

Many believe Sayin is the favorite to win the job. 

“I’m really just focused on the fundamentals and improving every day and just getting better and, you know, taking what Coach Day, Coach Mick and Coach Fessler are bringing us in the quarterback room,” Sayin said. 

All three quarterbacks are taking equal reps, a very similar situation to last spring when Will Howard transferred in. This is the first time Keinholz has been in this position, with the most experience. 

”Feels good because I’m coming to the building every day and strive to be the best quarterback in the nation, and that’s what I’m going to try to do,” Keinholz said. 

St. Clair comes in with a rare amount of familiarity, having spent a lot of time around the program during the last year while playing quarterback for Bellefontaine High School. It was a dream to be an Ohio State quarterback and now two practices into spring ball, it’s a reality.   

“The guys in the room, we’re the best in the country,” St. Clair said. “So you just got to, you got to compete every day at Ohio State. That’s what it breeds. Competition is what we talk and that’s what we do.” 

Spring practice will wrap up with a showcase at Ohio Stadium April 12; it won’t be a traditional spring game but there will be game-like situations and potentially a scrimmage. More details to come as that day draws closer.