Ohio State kicked off their 2024 season with their spring game on April 13. With National Championship hopes, this game drew a lot of eyes and was also the first-ever nationally televised spring game. The focus of attention for the 80,000 on hand and millions watching on TV, was the quarterback competition. The Buckeyes still haven’t named a starter, but we were able to see all five scholarship quarterbacks in action.
All Eyes on the Ohio State Quarterback Battle at the Spring Game
Graduate Quarterback Will Howard
Will Howard: 9-of-13 for 77 yards, 0 TDs, 0 INT
The first quarterback to run out onto the field Saturday was Kansas State transfer Will Howard. Howard looked comfortable leading the offense and moved the ball with ease despite the quick whistle. While Howard’s drives ended in field goals, there were runs on the drive that could’ve broken for bigger gains but were blown dead early.
With Howard under center, we saw a lot of RPO and misdirection, something offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has always centered his offense around. In Howard’s second drive, he and star receiver Emeka Egbuka connected on several big pickups and showed some early chemistry. Howard appears to be the front-runner to win the job as of now.
Junior Quarterback Devin Brown
Devin Brown: 5-of-7 for 66 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs
Devin Brown got the second drive with the first unit during Saturday’s scrimmage. Brown has battled injuries throughout his Buckeye career. Brown also moved the ball well, making key throws on third downs, his first drive also resulted in a field goal. During Brown’s second drive, he threw the lone touchdown pass with the first group, delivering a pinpoint throw down the middle of the Buckeye defense. Brown looks to continue to put pressure on Howard to be named the starter for the Buckeyes this fall.
Freshman Quarterback Julian Sayin
Julian Sayin: 9-of-15 for 77 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
Alabama transfer Julian Sayin saw time with both the starting unit and second units. The reports coming out of spring practice were that Sayin has been turning heads with his accuracy down the field, and we saw that in spurts on Saturday. For every good throw Sayin made, he also showed his youth, missing his target or taking a sack.
Unlike the two veteran quarterbacks, Sayin turned the ball over, throwing an interception. Sayin could be the answer down the road for the Buckeyes, but from what was seen on the field Saturday, he likely will not be the starter this season.
Sophomore Quarterback Lincoln Keinholz
Lincoln Kienholz: 10-of-17 for 71 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs
Sophomore quarterback Lincoln Keinholz was in uniform on Saturday, Most of his time was with the second unit, though he did get a couple of plays with the starters. However, Keinholz struggled to find consistency and forced some throws. Keinholz threw two back-breaking interceptions, that might cost him a chance to compete for the starting job.
Freshman Quarterback Air Noland
Freshman Air Noland did see time on Saturday, however that time came exclusively with the second unit and at the end of the scrimmage. Noland put some of his potential on display but it is clear the young quarterback still needs to develop before he takes the field on Saturdays.
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