Ohio State’s Quarterback Room Just Got Even Deeper - So What’s Next for Tavien St. Clair?
Ohio State has its guy under center - and there’s no debate about it. Julian Sayin, a Heisman finalist as a true freshman, is locked in as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback heading into next season. With a full year of experience now behind him, Sayin is expected to take another step forward as he leads an Ohio State team with national championship aspirations.
But while the starting role is settled, the competition behind Sayin is heating up - and that’s where things get interesting.
The Buckeyes' Quarterback Shuffle
Tavien St. Clair, one of the crown jewels of the 2025 recruiting class, came to Columbus with plenty of hype.
A former five-star prospect and one of the most highly regarded high school quarterbacks to come out of Ohio in recent memory, St. Clair didn’t see much action in his true freshman season - and that was always part of the plan.
With Sayin entrenched as the starter, St. Clair was brought in to develop, learn the system, and bide his time.
And when Lincoln Kienholz entered the transfer portal, it looked like St. Clair’s opportunity was arriving sooner than expected. The backup job appeared to be his for the taking.
Then came Justyn Martin.
Martin, who previously spent time at UCLA and Maryland, transferred to Ohio State this offseason and immediately added a new layer of competition to the quarterback depth chart. With his collegiate experience and physical tools, Martin is now considered the frontrunner to back up Sayin in 2026.
What Does This Mean for St. Clair?
For St. Clair, the addition of Martin changes the calculus.
While he wasn’t expected to push Sayin for the starting role this year, the backup spot was a realistic - and important - next step in his development. Now, he’s in a battle to prove he belongs in that No. 2 slot.
If Martin wins the job, St. Clair could be looking at another year on the sidelines - and for a player with his pedigree and aspirations, that’s a tough pill to swallow. It also opens the door to questions about his long-term future in Columbus.
Make no mistake: St. Clair has the talent to be a starting quarterback at the Power Five level.
That’s never been in doubt. But the timeline he may have envisioned - backing up Sayin in 2026, then taking over in 2027 if Sayin declares for the NFL Draft - is now less certain.
The Path Forward
For now, St. Clair’s best shot at staying in the scarlet and gray is to win the backup job outright. That would put him in position to take over the reins if Sayin heads to the NFL after next season, which remains the most likely scenario.
Of course, there’s always a chance Sayin surprises everyone and sticks around for another year. But if that happens - or if Martin locks down the No. 2 spot and holds it - St. Clair may have to reevaluate where he fits into the Buckeyes’ future.
This spring and summer will be pivotal. St.
Clair will have every opportunity to show the coaching staff he’s ready to take the next step. The tools are there.
The question now is whether he can outshine a more seasoned competitor and solidify his place in Ohio State’s quarterback pipeline.
The Buckeyes have their star in Sayin. But the battle behind him could shape the future of the program - and the career of one of Ohio’s most promising young quarterbacks.