From Heisman contenders to first-round draft picks, Ohio State’s quarterback room has become the most competitive — and most productive — in college football.
For decades, Ohio State has been defined by its winning tradition, dominant defense, and game-breaking athletes. But in the modern college football era, one position has elevated the Buckeyes to new heights: quarterback.
Once considered the program’s Achilles’ heel, Ohio State has now become a quarterback factory, producing record-setting passers,
NFL draft picks, and Heisman contenders at a rate few schools can match.
What makes the Buckeyes’ quarterback pipeline so remarkable isn’t just the talent that has worn the scarlet and gray, but the system and culture that have consistently maximized that talent, creating a legacy that keeps reloading year after year.
The Transformation of the Position
Ohio State has always had memorable quarterbacks; names like Rex Kern, Art Schlichter, and Troy Smith are etched into the program’s history. Smith, of course, won the 2006 Heisman Trophy while guiding Jim Tressel’s Buckeyes to a national championship appearance.
But the program’s true transformation into a quarterback powerhouse began under Urban Meyer. With Meyer’s spread offense, Ohio State transitioned from a traditional, run-heavy approach to an attack that demanded dynamic quarterback play.
Braxton Miller dazzled with his dual-threat ability, winning back-to-back Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year awards. J.T. Barrett became the ultimate leader and record-setter, leaving Columbus as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in touchdowns. And in 2014, Cardale Jones authored one of the most legendary postseason runs in college football history, guiding the Buckeyes to a national championship after stepping in as the third-string quarterback.
These players laid the foundation, proving that Ohio State could develop quarterbacks who could win big games and dominate on the biggest stage.
The Day Era: Quarterback Heaven
If Urban Meyer modernized Ohio State’s quarterback play, Ryan Day perfected it.
Since becoming head coach in 2019, Day has built an offensive system tailor-made for elite quarterback development. His scheme emphasizes NFL-style concepts, pro-level reads, and explosive passing attacks that showcase his players’ arm talent and decision-making.
The results? A conveyor belt of first-round talent.
Dwayne Haskins set Big Ten records with a 50-touchdown season in 2018, becoming a Heisman finalist and first-round draft pick. Justin Fields transferred in from Georgia and immediately elevated Ohio State into a national powerhouse, earning back-to-back Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors before going 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Then came C.J. Stroud, one of the most accurate quarterbacks college football has ever seen. Stroud became a two-time Heisman finalist, carved up defenses with his surgical precision, and was drafted No. 2 overall by the Houston Texans. In just one NFL season, he has already established himself as a franchise cornerstone.
Meanwhile, Ohio State is fresh off a national championship run led by Will Howard, the Kansas State transfer whose performance in the playoff stretch was nothing short of historic. Over four must-win games, Howard threw for 1,150 yards and eight touchdowns with only two interceptions, completing 75.2 percent of his passes. In the championship game against Notre Dame, he memorably connected on his first 13 consecutive passes, setting a new CFP championship game record, finished with 231 passing yards and two touchdowns, earned Offensive MVP honors, and capped off a record-breaking 73 percent single-season completion rate
And the year before that, Kyle McCord carried the torch, showing that even in so-called ‘transitional’ seasons, Ohio State quarterbacks don’t just stay among the Big Ten’s best, they thrive anywhere. After transferring to Syracuse, McCord set the ACC single-season passing record with 4779 yards, proof that the Buckeye QB pipeline produces success well beyond Columbus.
The Present Depth of Quarterback U
At the center of it all is Julian Sayin, the former five-star Alabama signee who transferred to Ohio State and now takes over as the starter. Sayin didn’t just win the job; he earned it by outshining a competitive room during spring and fall camp, showcasing elite traits that already have NFL scouts circling. His quick release, ability to process defenses, and natural accuracy make him an ideal fit for Ryan Day’s pro-style system. At 6-foot-1, Sayin may not be the biggest quarterback Ohio State has fielded, but his command of the pocket and advanced football IQ have drawn comparisons to former Buckeye greats like C.J. Stroud.
What sets Sayin apart is his polish at such a young age. A former Gatorade National Player of the Year out of Carlsbad, California, he dominated high school football with a reputation for calm under pressure and a near-flawless touchdown-to-interception ratio. Now, after sitting a year behind Will Howard and learning the nuances of Day’s offense, Sayin enters 2025 with both the pedigree and the preparation to make an immediate impact. His season debut comes on the biggest possible stage, a top-five showdown with Texas and Arch Manning.
Behind Sayin, the depth chart is no less intriguing. Lincoln Kienholz gives the Buckeyes a capable and experienced backup, but much of the buzz centers on Tavien St. Clair, the in-state phenom from Bellefontaine, Ohio. Rated as one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 recruiting class before reclassifying, St. Clair is already 6-foot-4 with a big arm and advanced mechanics. Though he begins the season as the third option, coaches and teammates rave about his maturity, leadership, and raw ability. St. Clair is widely viewed as the future of the position once Sayin’s time in Columbus is done, and his development will be one of the most closely watched storylines in the program.
Between Sayin’s immediate stardom and St. Clair’s long-term upside, Ohio State’s quarterback room is more than just stable; it’s elite. The Buckeyes aren’t simply plugging in another starter; they’re building a succession plan that could keep them at the top of college football for years to come.
The Next Generation of Buckeye Quarterbacks
If the present is promising, the future is nothing short of elite.
The 2026 recruiting class is headlined by Luke Fahey, a four-star from Mission Viejo, California, who already looks like one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country. As a junior, Fahey completed 76.2 percent of his passes for 1,638 yards, 17 touchdowns, and zero interceptions, a stat line that demonstrates remarkable accuracy and decision-making. His connection to the program runs even deeper. Fahey was the high school quarterback for current Ohio State wide receiver Phillip Bell, giving the Buckeyes a natural chemistry between two future playmakers. At 6-foot-2 with smooth mechanics and excellent anticipation, Fahey isn’t just a developmental project; he’s viewed by the staff as someone who could legitimately push for playing time early in his career once he arrives in Columbus.
Looking further ahead, the 2027 class already features Brady Edmunds, another highly regarded California quarterback who has quickly embraced the role of leader and recruiter for his class. Edmunds, a polished pocket passer with a strong arm and excellent field vision, has been actively helping Ohio State build out its offensive future by connecting with other top recruits.
Add in Tavien St. Clair, who is already on campus as a five-star freshman, and it’s clear that Ohio State’s future pipeline is as strong as it has ever been. Between Sayin leading the present, St. Clair waiting in the wings, and Fahey and Edmunds on the way, the Buckeyes aren’t just planning for depth; they’re creating a succession of elite quarterbacks that could keep Ohio State at the top of college football for the next decade.
At most programs, landing one highly ranked quarterback in a cycle is cause for celebration. At Ohio State, it’s just another step in sustaining the identity of Quarterback U.
The Lasting Legacy of Quarterback U
It’s one thing to occasionally produce a Heisman contender or an NFL draft pick. It’s another to consistently reload year after year with pro-ready talent. That’s what Ohio State has become at quarterback.
From Haskins to Fields to Stroud, and now to Sayin, St. Clair, and Edmunds, the Buckeyes have turned the most important position in football into a program-defining strength.
Just as Ohio State’s wide receiver pipeline redefined the standard at its position, the quarterback room has now become a dynasty in its own right, a room that sets the tone not just for the Buckeyes, but for all of college football.
For Ohio State, quarterback excellence is no longer a goal. It’s an identity.
