Ohio State’s quarterback search may already be running into trouble before the portal even really opens up.
With Julian Sayin’s throwing shoulder injury threatening to wipe out what could be his final college season, the Buckeyes could be staring at a depth-chart problem that pushes them toward a veteran transfer for 2027. Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair are there, but there’s clearly uncertainty about whether either is ready to take over if Sayin can’t finish the job.
That’s where the bigger names came into play. Two of the most buzzed-about quarterback possibilities, though, might already be slipping away.
Braden Atkinson, who has turned heads with a breakout season at Oregon State, suddenly looks a lot less available than the rumor mill suggested. The biggest clue came Friday afternoon, when Beavers receiver Jesse Legree said he would be re-signing with Oregon State for the 2027 season. That kind of midseason future-planning has become part of the college football landscape, and it can say plenty about where a quarterback may be headed too.
Atkinson had been an exciting fit to imagine in Columbus, especially with the kind of arm talent Ohio State likes to dream on. He may not have been the perfect match for Arthur Smith’s system, but the idea of him in scarlet and gray had real appeal. That picture, though, may be fading fast.
Arch Manning is another name floating around, but the chatter around him points away from Columbus and toward the SEC. Manning took over the Texas program and opened his run as QB1 with a 14-7 loss to Ohio State at the Shoe in Week 1 of the 2025 season. It would have made for a neat full-circle ending if he someday landed with the Buckeyes, but the latest rumor ties him to Ole Miss instead.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero said on The Bill Simmons Podcast, "Arch could transfer," before adding, "I texted one person who's known Arch for a long time, and I said, 'Where do you see Arch in 2027,' and his response was, 'Ole Miss.'"
For now, that’s all it is: a rumor. Still, it doesn’t sound like one pointing toward the Big Ten.
That leaves Ohio State looking elsewhere, and Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey stands out as the cleanest fit. The Golden Gophers have been better under P.J. Fleck, but they may not be able to outbid a program like Ohio State if this turns into a real portal fight.
Lindsey fits Arthur Smith’s offense the way a Buckeyes quarterback should, and that makes him the kind of player Mark Pantoni and the staff need to keep close tabs on. If Fahey or St. Clair aren’t ready, and if Sayin’s injury ends up pushing him toward the NFL route instead of a return, Ohio State may have to go shopping for a proven arm.
For now, two of the biggest names in the quarterback rumor cycle may already be off the board.
In Other News...
Michigan Fans Can Already See The Next OC Debate Coming
If Michigan decides the offensive staff needs a new voice after Jason Beck, the candidate list is already starting to take shape. The names being floated all bring different angles, from experience calling offenses to familiarity with the program, and that mix alone is enough to set off the kind of debate Wolverines fans know well. Aaron Roderick, Dean Kennedy, Chandler Whitmer, Jedd Fisch and Jay Harbaugh each have a case in their own way, which means the conversation is not just about who is available, but about what direction Michigan wants to go.
The wider speculation only adds another layer, because there is also chatter about NFL-level options such as Brian Daboll or Nick Sirianni, even if that remains purely hypothetical for now. For a fan base that has grown used to dissecting every staff move, the real intrigue is less about the exact name and more about whether Michigan chooses continuity, experience or a bigger swing if the job opens up. [Read more 🡒]
Michigans Biggest Problem Showed Up Again In Loss To Houston
Michigans trip into a top-10 showdown with Houston quickly turned into a familiar frustration. The Wolverines fell 83-66 after the Cougars took advantage of early foul trouble and the kind of rebounding issues that can unravel a game against a disciplined opponent, then used efficient offense and sturdy defense to control the pace from there.
Michigan kept trying to hang around, but Houston never let the matchup get comfortable. The Cougars stayed composed, pushed the action when it was there and built a lead they protected throughout, leaving the Wolverines with the same glaring problem that has shadowed them before. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Still Has A Quarterback Problem It Can't Afford
Michigan football is keeping the quarterback picture cloudy for another week. Kyle Whittingham said at his Monday press conference that the Wolverines will not announce a starter for the upcoming game, a sign that the position remains unsettled as the offense works through a rough stretch marked by turnovers and too few scoring chances.
Whittingham still struck a confident note about Michigans overall potential, even while acknowledging the offensive issues that have dragged down recent results. He did not suggest any coaching changes are coming soon, which leaves the focus on whether the Wolverines can clean up the quarterback situation before it costs them another game. [Read more 🡒]