Ohio State coach Ryan Day talks to his team during a practice on Aug. 1 in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After the first quarter of Ohio State’s preseason practices, the competition between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz for the starting quarterback spot remains too close to call.

“The competition continues,” coach Ryan Day said. “They both have had good moments and moments where they’re growing. I will say I’ve been pleased with the progress. It’s going to go right down to the wire.

“The positives of having a competition is that you know every day you got to bring it. The guys are always on edge, they’re uncomfortable, they’re working at it. I think that’s healthy for the entire building.”

A quarterback competition the season after winning the College Football Playoff championship is routine at Ohio State. The circumstances, though, are different.

In 2015, Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett both had experience as they battled. Jones led the Buckeyes to the title when he started the Big Ten championship and both CFP games after Barrett broke his ankle against Michigan.

Sayin and Kienholz have a combined 34 pass attempts and 90 college snaps. They are competing to replace Will Howard, who transferred from Kansas State and threw for a Big Ten-high 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns in leading the Buckeyes to their sixth national title.

Quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler is looking for consistency, especially as the Buckeyes start getting more into situational scenarios during practices.

“We have to be great on third down and in the red zone. That’s where quarterbacks make their money,” Fessler said. “We’re in a spot where we’re getting more and more of those situations every day. So it’s an opportunity for those guys to go out and compete.”

Sayin has shown better arm strength, though Keinholz has more athleticism in practice.

Sayin originally committed to Alabama as the top-rated quarterback in the Class of 2024 and was taking classes when Nick Saban retired. Sayin then entered the transfer portal last spring and came to Ohio State. He played in four games, including the CFP first-round contest against Tennessee, and was 5 for 12 for 84 yards and one touchdown while taking 27 snaps.

The sophomore is the slight favorite to emerge as the starter for the Aug. 30 opener against Texas, but he hasn’t paid any attention to the outside hype.

“I feel like I’m developing in my footwork accuracy and mechanics. It’s just all about building confidence. You make a great play, you start to build that confidence,” Sayin said.

The last snaps Kienholz took in a game were in the 2023 Cotton Bowl against Missouri after starter Devin Brown was injured in the first half. Keinholz struggled, as he completed only six of 17 passes for 86 yards.

However, the junior had a great offseason and was one of eight Ohio State players named an Iron Buckeye, which goes to players who excel during offseason workouts.

Preseason honors

Penn State redshirt senior wide receiver Trebor Pena and senior receiver Devonte Ross were named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list on Wednesday.

The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season’s outstanding FBS receiver. Any player, regardless of position, who catches a pass is eligible for the award.

In other news, Pitt standouts Kyle Louis (LB) and Desmond Reid (RB) have been named to The Sporting News 2025 Preseason All-America First Team, adding to their growing list of national accolades.

Louis is listed as a redshirt junior while Reid enters the season as a senior for the Panthers.