Ohio State’s quarterback search for 2027 may already be running into a wall.
With Julian Sayin’s throwing shoulder injury possibly closing the book on what could be his final college season, the Buckeyes may need a veteran transfer to stabilize the position if Luke Fahey or Tavien St. Clair isn’t ready to take over. But two of the biggest names that had been floating around the portal conversation now look far less available than they did a day ago.
Braden Atkinson, the breakout quarterback at Oregon State, got a strong push to stay put on Friday afternoon. Beavers receiver Jesse Legree announced he would be re-signing with Oregon State for the 2027 season, a move that suggests Atkinson may not be leaving Corvallis after all. Atkinson had been the kind of arm talent that could make a program dream, even if he wasn’t an ideal fit in Arthur Smith’s system.
Arch Manning is a different kind of rumor altogether, but one that has Buckeyes fans looking west and then quickly turning away. After starting his run as Texas’ full-time QB1 with a 14-7 loss to Ohio State at the Shoe in Week 1 of the 2025 season, Manning has been linked by the rumor mill to Ole Miss if he decides to leave the Longhorns.
“Arch could transfer,” NFL insider Tom Pelissero said on The Bill Simmons Podcast. “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.'”
That does not make it fact, and it does not point Ohio State’s way.
If the Buckeyes do go hunting for a portal quarterback, Minnesota’s Drake Lindsey stands out as the cleanest schematic match. He fits Smith’s offense, and Ohio State has the kind of pull to jump into a bidding war if necessary. The program has done it before, bringing in Will Howard from Kansas State before the 2024 championship season.
For now, though, the market looks thinner than it did just a moment ago. Two of the names that sounded like possible answers may already be spoken for.
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