What to expect from the Ohio State quarterbacks in 2024

After the 2023 season, the Ohio State quarterback room desperately needed reinforcements. So the Buckeye coaching staff turned to the transfer portal and landed Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. It was presumed that Howard would be the team's starter, but this offseason head coach Ryan Day still had an open competition until yesterday when Howard was named the starter. He was also recently named to the Unitas Golden Arm preseason watchlist as well.

Here's a look at the Buckeye QB room:

Starter

Graduate Senior Will Howard

After four seasons at Kansas State one of which included a Big 12 championship season, Will Howard decided to enter the transfer portal and found his way to Columbus, Ohio. He threw for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns and he also had 9 rushing touchdowns in 2023.

Howard fits the quarterback mold that Chip Kelly looks for. A dual-threat QB, who is also intelligent and can thrive in the RPO game. Pairing Howard with the star-studded tandem in the Buckeyes' backfield going to create a very challenging rushing attack for defensive coordinators to figure out this season.

In 2023, Ohio State appeared lost on offense at times. Having a quarterback with four years of college football under center will bring much-needed experience into their quarterback room.

Backup

Freshman Julian Sayin or Junior Devin Brown

Although the starter was announced, the backup spot has not been announced yet and appears to be a competition between freshman Julian Sayin and Junior Devin Brown.

Brown is now in his third season with the Buckeyes and failed to win the quarterback competition last year with Kyle McCord. Brown is not afraid of competition and will continue to fight to earn his role for the Buckeyes.

We saw Devin get some time on the field a season ago in rushing packages near the red zone however, with Howard’s rushing ability that is not likely to be the case this season.

Freshman Julian Sayin transferred from Alabama after the retirement of Nick Saban. Sayin has been turning heads during camp with his accuracy and has real promise to play one day for the  buckeyes. Coach Day said we will see Julian play football in a Buckeye uniform in the near future. Although he struggled in the spring game, Sayin appears to have the backing of the Ohio State coaching staff.

Future Development

Freshman Air Noland

Air Noland was the seventh-ranked quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class and is entering his freshman season at Ohio State. As always it is challenging for a true freshman to see the field at the quarterback position in Columbus. Having a year to learn the offensive system and develop further will prepare Noland for next season’s quarterback competition.

Sophomore Lincoln Kienholz

After being thrown to the “tigers” in last season's Cotton Bowl, sophomore Lincoln Kienholz does not appear to be in contention for seeing the field at quarterback. Kienholz will be able to spend the year developing further and will have a decision this off-season on whether or not to stay at Ohio State and compete for the starting position or enter the transfer portal and get on the field somewhere else.