Three words echoed throughout the Woody Hayes Athletic Center during a Ryan Day press conference on the indoor practice field: "The competition continues."
Day's comment came as he addressed the quarterback battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz in preseason camp. Day said he's been pleased with the progress of both signal callers following a handful of practices, yet he wants to see Sayin and Kienholz take the next step as this week continues.
“They’ve both had good moments and moments where they’ve grown," he said. "This week will be critical."
Day also shared Eddrick Houston should return to Ohio State's team drills this week, and that Austin Siereveld continues to stand out as the Buckeyes move him all over the offensive line.
- Day said he wants Ohio State to always rank within the top 20 nationally in red zone efficiency and short-yardage situations. He said that’s been one of the Buckeyes’ main focuses with the season opener being against Texas. “It’s a focus. It always is a focus, though.”
- Day said Eddrick Houston should return to practice this week after suffering a knee injury during the Buckeyes’ first practice. “We think he’s gonna be involved in the team drills here within the next 48 hours. If not tomorrow, then the day after.”
- On Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz, Ohio State’s quarterback competition: “They’ve both had good moments and moments where they’ve grown. The competition continues. … I’ve been pleased with the progress.” Day said this week of practice will be critical for Sayin and Kienholz as the quarterbacks continue to battle to be the starter. He likened this week to “Moving Day” in golf.
- Day said Ohio State has moved Austin Siereveld all over the offensive line during preseason camp. “He’s getting work at left right now. We believe that he can do that. He can play left tackle for us, he can certainly play guard.”
- On what he likes about Sayin: “There’s a lot to like. He’s very smart. He makes quick decisions. The ball comes out of his hand, he’s accurate. … He’s improved. He wants to be good. He knows what it takes.” Day compared Sayin to Dwayne Haskins while discussing Sayin’s “twitch” in both the upper half and lower half of his body.
- Day said Sayin and Kienholz are friends, which encourages him. He said Ohio State’s quarterback room should be the best in the nation, and he wants to see Sayin, Kienholz, Tavien St. Clair live up to that standard in 2025.
- “There are positives and negatives to everything. … The positives to having a competition are that every day you have to bring it. … Guys are always edge. … I think that’s healthy for the entire building.
