COLUMBUS, Ohio — After the primary quarter of Ohio State‘s preseason practices, the competitors between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz for the beginning quarterback spot stays too near name.
“The competitors continues,” coach Ryan Day stated. “They each have had good moments and moments the place they’re rising. I’ll say I have been happy with the progress. It’ll go proper all the way down to the wire.
“The positives of getting a contest is that you already know on daily basis you bought to deliver it. The fellows are at all times on edge, they’re uncomfortable, they’re working at it. I feel that is wholesome for your complete constructing.”
A quarterback competitors the season after successful the Faculty Soccer Playoff championship is routine at Ohio State. The circumstances, although, are totally different.
In 2015, Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett each had expertise as they battled. Jones led the Buckeyes to the title when he began the Massive Ten championship and each CFP video games after Barrett broke his ankle towards Michigan.
Sayin and Kienholz have a mixed 34 cross makes an attempt and 90 faculty snaps. They’re competing to switch Will Howard, who transferred from Kansas State and threw for a Massive Ten-high 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns in main the Buckeyes to their sixth nationwide title.
Quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler is on the lookout for consistency, particularly because the Buckeyes begin getting extra into situational eventualities throughout practices the subsequent two weeks.
“We have now to be nice on third down and within the crimson zone. That is the place quarterbacks make their cash,” Fessler stated. “We’re in a spot the place we’re getting increasingly of these conditions on daily basis. So it is a chance for these guys to exit and compete.”
Sayin has proven higher arm power, although Kienholz has extra athleticism after enjoying three sports activities in highschool.
Sayin initially dedicated to Alabama because the top-rated quarterback within the class of 2024 and was taking lessons when Nick Saban retired. Sayin then entered the switch portal final spring and got here to Ohio State. He performed in 4 video games, together with the CFP first-round contest towards Tennessee, and was 5-for-12 for 84 yards and one landing whereas taking 27 snaps.
The sophomore is the slight favourite to emerge because the starter for the Aug. 30 opener towards Texas, however he hasn’t paid any consideration to the skin hype.
“I really feel like I am creating in my footwork accuracy and mechanics. It is simply all about constructing confidence. You make an excellent play, you begin to construct that confidence,” Sayin stated.
The final snaps Kienholz took in a recreation have been within the 2023 Cotton Bowl towards Missouri after starter Devin Brown was injured within the first half. Kienholz struggled, as he accomplished solely 6 of 17 passes for 86 yards.
Nonetheless, the junior had an excellent offseason and was certainly one of eight Ohio State gamers named an Iron Buckeye, which matches to gamers who excel throughout offseason exercises.
“As a freshman stepping into there, I did not actually know an entire lot. I did not actually understand how protections labored, and, I imply, now that is one thing that I really feel like I am fairly good at, and I am going out and execute that nicely,” Kienholz stated. “I have been within the offense for 3 years now, so it is one thing that I feel simply extra time, extra reps and movie examine, it is helped me get higher.”
Freshman Tavien St. Clair can be getting snaps however continues to be getting up to the mark with the offense. He got here in as an early enrollee and took part in spring practices.
Moreover quarterback, Day and the teaching workers are on the lookout for a few of the positions to get a longtime beginning group towards the top of the week. Day used a phrase from safeties coach Matt Guerrieri in evaluating this week to the third spherical of a golf event, which is usually known as transferring day.
“That is transferring week. We need to have our id, and it does not have to be in stone, however the gamers can inform us what we’re doing and what our id is popping out of this week,” Day stated.