Ohio State Buckeyes transfer quarterback Justyn Martin is making a serious push in the quarterback room this spring, reportedly looking like a capable backup next to presumed QB2 Tavien St. Clair during spring practice.
Eleven Warriors' Dan Hope reported only positive developments for Martin in the backfield, but reiterated that the former Maryland Terrapin and UCLA Bruin is more so moving in front of other transfers and freshman Luke Fahey than coming close to usurping St. Clair as the team's primary backup.
"Tavien St. Clair looks more comfortable than a year ago and is the clear frontrunner to be Ohio State’s No. 2 quarterback this season. That said, Justyn Martin also looks like a capable backup with a higher ceiling than other veteran transfers the Buckeyes have brought in as backup quarterbacks in recent years, so he’s the early favorite to be the No. 3 quarterback above true freshman Luke Fahey," Hope wrote.
Justyn Martin could end up being QB2 depending on Julian Sayin's future
There are several ways Martin could end up as QB2 in Columbus this coming fall. They mostly involve unrest with Julian Sayin and St. Clair ahead of him.
St. Clair is now entering his second season in-waiting behind Sayin. If there are any indications that Sayin isn't leaving after the 2026 campaign, perhaps he can make it clear early on that he wants to retain a redshirt and preserve a season playing elsewhere. A third year on the bench may not be in St. Clair's best interest if Sayin is returning in 2027 and not declaring for the NFL draft.
Then, of course, there's the off chance that Sayin gets injured, and St. Clair is thrust into the starting role. Martin would get the shift upward in that worst-case scenario. This mostly goes without saying and is an issue at every position for every team. We're talking about football, after all.
Regardless, the point is that Martin isn't all that far off from being called upon under center if enough freaky situations unfold. He's not yet had much of a chance to show what he can do in three years in College Park or Westwood, throwing 35 passes total during the 2024 season with the Bruins and nothing beyond that. Still, if a 2014/2015 string of bad injury luck hits the Buckeyes' QB room, Ohio State may be prepared to have 2014/2015-type results.
Martin just needs to be ready to serve as Cardale Jones if called upon.