As Ohio State wraps up its final practices in Columbus and heads south to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl, the focus naturally shifts to the players who’ll take the field under the bright lights. But what’s happening behind the scenes-on the practice field, in the reps that don’t make the highlight reels-is just as important for the Buckeyes’ long-term future.
These bowl practices offer something invaluable: time. Not just for the starters to fine-tune their chemistry and game plan, but for the backups to get meaningful reps against quality competition. For a program like Ohio State, where the next wave of talent is always waiting in the wings, these moments can be foundational.
Julian Sayin: The Present and the Standard
Julian Sayin is firmly entrenched as Ohio State’s quarterback of the present. After a freshman season that landed him in the Heisman conversation, there’s no question about who’s leading the Buckeyes into the Cotton Bowl and beyond-at least for now. Sayin has the poise, arm talent, and command you want in a quarterback, and these practices are about sharpening the sword, not fighting for the job.
Tavien St. Clair: A Glimpse of the Future
But while Sayin is the headline, true freshman Tavien St. Clair is starting to generate some buzz of his own.
The former five-star recruit, ranked No. 4 overall in the 2025 class, turned heads during practice reps this week-and not just among the coaching staff. Video surfaced of St.
Clair taking reps right after Sayin, and Ohio State fans immediately took notice.
It wasn’t just that he was next in line in the drill rotation. It was how he looked doing it.
St. Clair’s size jumps off the screen-he’s got the kind of frame that screams "future QB1"-and the ball comes out of his hand clean and with zip.
There’s a natural ease to his throwing motion that’s hard to miss, especially for a player who just arrived on campus.
The Waiting Game
Of course, St. Clair isn’t in the mix for playing time just yet.
Sayin is the guy in 2026, and barring something unexpected, that won’t change. But in college football, the succession plan is always in motion.
If Sayin follows the expected path and declares for the NFL Draft after next season, St. Clair will be right in the thick of a quarterback competition that could define the next era of Buckeye football.
He’ll have to earn it, of course. There are other talented quarterbacks on the roster, and more are sure to come through the pipeline.
But for now, these bowl practices are giving us a first look at what the Buckeyes have in St. Clair-and it’s hard not to be intrigued.
The Bigger Picture
This is what makes bowl season so valuable for programs like Ohio State. Beyond the game itself, it’s a chance to develop depth, evaluate talent, and build continuity for the future.
For players like St. Clair, it’s a chance to start writing their story-not in front of 100,000 fans, but in the quieter moments where real growth happens.
And if the early signs are any indication, the Buckeyes might have something special brewing for the seasons to come.