Ryan Day offers intriguing QB who could push for Ohio State's backup job

An intriguing signal-caller for Ohio State fans to keep an eye on.
Syracuse v Washington State - DirecTV Holiday Bowl
Syracuse v Washington State - DirecTV Holiday Bowl | Brandon Sloter/GettyImages

With Julian Sayin returning next season, the Ohio State football team is in good hands at quarterback. Despite that, head man Ryan Day knows you can never have too much depth at the position, and with Lincoln Kienholz leaving Columbus for Louisville, a replacement is needed.

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Enter former Washington State quarterback Jaxon Potter? That could end up being the case for the Buckeyes, as Potter announced on social media earlier this week that he had picked up an offer. Potter is officially in the portal and schools are starting to show interest. Might playing for the Big Ten powerhouse be what he ends up deciding?

Ohio State football has offered transfer portal quarterback Jaxon Potter

Sayin was in New York last month for the Heisman Trophy ceremony, losing out to Fernando Mendoza. That was expected, but he's also considered an early contender for the '26 Heisman too. Sayin was brilliant this year and the loss to Miami in the CFP doesn't change that.

Behind Sayin next fall is expected to be young signal-caller Tavien St. Clair, but more help is needed for the QBs room. St. Clair is a rising prospect, signing with Ohio State and Ryan Day as a 5-star member of the 2025 class. He's going to be a stud for OSU in the future.

However, with him being so young and not having a ton of experience, it would make sense for Day to bring in a QB2 or QB3-type of player. That's where someone like Potter can come in - he won't be expected to push for the starting role, but his experience alone could also help push St. Clair and bring home along.

Potter originally signed with Washington State out of the '23 class, ranked as the No. 48 QB in the country per 247Sports. This past season for the Cougars, the 6-5, 205-pounder started three games, finishing the year throwing for 604 yards and four touchdowns. He has also picked up an offer from Old Dominion while in the portal.

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