Will Howard battled through adversity last season to lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff, leading the Buckeyes to a national championship, and he's off to the NFL now.
One of the most important tasks for head coach Ryan Day and the coaching staff this offseason is to find his successor, and there wasn't a sure-fire winner entering the spring.
Ohio State added former five-star recruit and Alabama quarterback Julian Sayin from the transfer portal before last season, adding a potential quarterback of the future, and he appears to be in the pole position to enter the 2025 season as the starter at the midway point of spring ball.
Spencer Holbrook of Letterman Row reported in a recent offensive depth chart update that Sayin currently has the edge over fellow quarterbacks Lincoln Kienholz and Tavien St. Clair.
"Sayin still leads the Ohio State quarterback battle, while Kienholz looks better than he has in past spring practice periods," Holbrook wrote. "That battle will be one we're watching closely as the spring hits its half-way point."
Sayin - a 6-foot-1, 203-pound quarterback from Carlsbad, Calif. - was one of the top recruits in the class of 2024, earning universal five-star status. He initially committed to Alabama over offers from just about every major program in the country.
He left Alabama after former head coach Nick Saban retired and arrived in time for spring ball as a true freshman last season.
In four appearances last season, he completed 5-of-12 pass attempts for 84 yards and a touchdown - including a 55-yard touchdown toss to Bennett Christian against Western Michigan.
Sayin was prolific at Carlsbad High, throwing for 7,824 passing yards with 85 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions.
If Sayin does eventually win the starting job, he will benefit from a wide receiving corps that features superstar sophomore Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and Bryson Rodgers.
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This story was originally published March 31, 2025 at 6:53 PM.