BREAKING NEWS: Ryan Day announce Ohio State football’s starting QB 5-star who declined deals from Oregon Ducks just to commit to Ohio State Buckeyes football. His best statistical game came in a key spot, a 41-21 revenge win against the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl, where he put together a 319-yard, three-touchdown performance without a turnover.

The college football offseason is nearing a lull, but analysts nationwide are already projecting how quarterback situations will shape up across the Power Four conferences by August.

Among the teams drawing attention is the reigning national champion Ohio State Buckeyes, who are searching for Will Howard’s successor. In his lone season at Ohio State, Howard led the Buckeyes to a national title while displaying elite accuracy and efficiency. He finished the year with 35 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, highlighted by a 319-yard, three-touchdown, turnover-free performance in a decisive 41-21 Rose Bowl win over Oregon.

Bill Bender of The Sporting News recently ranked all 18 projected starting quarterbacks in the Big Ten. Despite Ohio State’s lack of experience among its candidates, Bender still placed the Buckeyes’ quarterback group second in the conference, just behind Penn State and returning starter Drew Allar.

“There’s a three-man competition underway to replace Will Howard, who was outstanding during the playoff run,” Bender noted. Devin Brown has since transferred to Cal, and Air Noland to South Carolina. Now, the race is between redshirt freshman Julian Sayin—a former five-star recruit from Alabama—Lincoln Kienholz, and freshman Tavian St. Clair.

Bender added that head coach Ryan Day isn’t rushing his decision. While Kienholz was third-string last season behind Brown, he’s reportedly gaining ground in spring practice. Day is expected to hold off on naming a starter until fall camp.

Last month, Day offered insight into the competition, saying Kienholz entered the spring game slightly ahead of Sayin, but Sayin may have had the better showing in that game. “After reviewing spring practices and grading the film, they’re very close,” Day said. “So, we’ll carry the competition into the summer.”

Day emphasized the importance of getting the quarterback decision right, especially with increased talent across the Big Ten. The Buckeyes will eventually face off against top QBs like Drew Allar and likely Michigan’s Bryce Underwood.

“I think we’ve made real progress,” Day concluded. “This summer will be critical for their development—getting stronger, faster, and learning from film. I feel good about what we’ve seen.”

Whoever earns the starting role will have the challenge of living up to the high bar set by Howard.