Coming off a championship season, the Buckeyes are set to kick off their 2025 season. Or, are they? The Week-1 matchup against the Longhorns, who were ranked No. 1 in the preseason AP Poll on Tuesday, quickly approaches. But HC Ryan Day’s indecisiveness over the QB1 position raises legitimate questions, or shall we say, legitimate concerns at this point: Despite being former stud recruits, why has neither Julian Sayin nor Lincoln Kienholz been able to win the starting job convincingly? And will they be ready when the time comes, considering they have split No. 1 reps through fall camp?

While Julian Sayin appears to be the frontrunner, Lincoln Kienholz can not be ruled out for the starting role just yet. But regardless of who starts, Day has made it clear that he needs both QBs ready for the first game. “We’re trying to get both guys ready to go win the game,” Day said. “I think we have to have them both ready to play in that first game. And then again, as we get closer here, we’ll name a starter and go from there. But we’re going to need them both.” Translation: Sayin’s start is not guaranteed yet. And with a fresh update from a Buckeyes insider, the QB1 battle is still wide open.

Stefan Krajisnik, a trusted voice on Ohio State football, explained why the decision hasn’t been locked in. He said, “I still probably think that Julian Sayin’s the favorite to be the starter… But Lincoln Kienholz is doing everything that he needs to off the field and on the field to make this more interesting.” Krajisnik threw light on the intensity and unpredictability at the QB position, where talent, leadership, and work ethic clash in practice every day. And what should’ve been a simple decision for Day is being dragged out, courtesy of the relentless dedication of Lincoln Kienholz. Krajisnik added,

“The more it lingers, the more it carries on, the more we’re going to be kind of raising our antennas, being like, why does this keep going on? Why hasn’t Julian Sayin won the starting job yet? It’s because Lincoln Kienholz is trying to make it a competition with what he’s doing and being an Iron Buckeye and stuff like that.” The Iron Buckeye honor, which Kienholz proudly earned, recognizes unwavering commitment and leadership during offseason work. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Kienholz brings both size and athleticism, qualities that give Ohio State a dynamic option at quarterback beyond Sayin.

Kienholz knows how much the award means to him. “It means a lot… I think it’s something that everyone on our team should strive for. It’s something that I think is probably the biggest honor in the program, especially in the offseason. It definitely means a lot.” His dedication in the weight room and on the field has forced coaches, players, and analysts to rethink the quarterback hierarchy. As Krajisnik puts it, the staff is essentially trying to figure out “how do you get a little bit of this into him? How do you get a little bit of that into him? That’s what they’re trying to see.”

The limbo continues as the Buckeyes prepare to host Texas, and this quarterback chess match could prove pivotal in shaping their national championship defense. The tension is real, and, if nothing else, it makes the upcoming showdown even more compelling.

QB Call Looms for Ryan Day Before Texas Game

The 2025 season opener between Ohio State and Texas is shaping up to be one of the most intense showdowns, and head coach Day isn’t taking a single second for granted. Day’s growing restlessness is no surprise, especially with the ongoing quarterback uncertainty looming over Ohio State. As the Buckeyes prepare to face Texas in just weeks, Day openly admitted to Eleven Warriors’ Chase Brown that sleep isn’t exactly easy right now. 

When asked if he’s sleeping better after winning the national title, Day laughed and replied, “No.” He elaborated on the weight of the opener, saying, “If we didn’t open up with Texas, maybe. If you want to take a deep breath, I mean, the first game is a monster, right out of the gate.” It’s this combination of a huge opponent and the unsettled QB situation between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz that’s likely contributing to Day’s restless nights.

The Ohio State coach is also already locked into the game plan, knowing that Texas’s offense, led by Manning, won’t make things easy. Day was clear about the need to disrupt Texas’ loud cadence, stating, “(Texas) can’t get away with the clap. We’ve got to bring it and put them on a silent cadence. It’s gotta be the loudest it’s ever been. We’re playing that game right now, every single moment.” Clearly, Day is demanding full attention from his team long before kickoff. And with the quarterback competition still undecided as the clock ticks toward the opener, Day’s focus, sleeplessness, and strategic urgency all tell us just how high the stakes are for Ohio State in this colossal Week 1 clash.