Julian Sayin will be the starting quarterback for Ohio State in 2026 and not even a lackluster performance in the spring game is going to change that. But Tavien St. Clair is the future and that was on display at times during Saturday's exhibition.
We all know that St. Clair has a high level of talent and the question was going to be exactly how he and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith were going to mesh in year one together. The results were promising on Saturday and now Ryan Day wants to see the sophomore take it to the next level.
Ryan Day on Tavien St. Clair:
— Blake T. Biscardi (@BlakeBiscardi) April 19, 2026
🗣️ “He’s battling every day...you can see the talent…He’s going to be an important part of this team.”
Day also praised St. Clair’s “good attitude” and work ethic, saying “you need to build depth at every position,” especially quarterback. pic.twitter.com/tEmJHx6fij
"Being a quarterback at Ohio State is not easy, and he's battling every day...He's got to continue to grow. He's been showing up every day with a good attitude and that's important," Day continued. "I think we can all see the talent, that's why he was recruited here. He's got to continue to grind, to learn how to run the offense at a high level because he's going to be an important part of this team."
Ryan Day is ready for Tavien St. Clair to take the next step
Coming into Saturday, it was as if Smith and Day knew what the people wanted to see. That wanted to see St. Clair showcase his skills, and they wanted to see five-star freshman wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. hauling some bombs. That was accomplished and the excitement of what St. Clair is capable of doing in the future might only be exceeded by the excitement of Henry and Jeremiah Smith being on the field at the same time this season.
Tavien St. Clair to Chris Henry Jr… AGAIN
— SleeperCFB (@SleeperCFB) April 18, 2026
QB Controversy in Columbus? 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/74zvPrQd8Q
Now St. Clair has to dive into the work and prepare as if he, not Sayin, is starting each week because, in case something happens, he has to be ready. Day wants to be sure that he can trust St. Clair with the keys to this offensive machine. Saturday was a good start, but the true test lies ahead.
And this is also great for the Buckeyes, who now have a clear succession path with the most important position on the field for at least the next 2–3 seasons. It was important for St. Clair to come out of Saturday as the No. 2 QB and look like the guy that will push Sayin over the summer.
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