Ohio State's quarterback competition is the storyline of preseason camp, though the Buckeyes' quarterback coach and quarterbacks weren't doing much storytelling about it on Tuesday.
No hints were given about who is leading between redshirt sophomore Lincoln Kienholz and redshirt freshman Julian Sayin. But quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler, Sayin and Kienholz all said that the duo is taking lessons from the other's game and using it to boost the quality of their play.
Fessler also pointed to consistency as the main trait that will separate one QB from the other in their battle. Sayin is keeping things "all about ball" and staying off social media, while Kienholz said being named an Iron Buckeye is the "biggest honor in the program" and meant a lot to him.
Freshman quarterback Tavien St. Clair also spoke with the media Tuesday and dove into what he's focusing on for his freshman year.
Billy Fessler
“We’re taking it day by day, period by period on the field, meeting by meeting off the field. Those guys are competitive. They push each other hard. … They’re both very good players.”– Billy Fessler on the battle between Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz
- On what it will take for Sayin or Kienholz to win the quarterback competition: “No. 1, you got to be consistent. You got to make the routine plays on a consistent basis, day in and day out, rep in and rep out. We can’t afford to be in a spot where we don’t make those plays.”
- Fessler said he’s seen great improvement in Kienholz this offseason. “Well, No. 1, he was an Iron Buckeye, which is pretty incredible. Obviously, we know that’s a big deal around here. His work in the weight room was tremendous. … On top of that, we’ve seen him grow as a leader. He’s more vocal. His presence is felt. I think he’s playing with a little bit of an edge to him. … That’s contagious. … Mechanically, as far as that goes, we’re definitely seeing Lincoln get the ball out quick. He’s accurate. His base has improved.”
- Fessler said he admires that Sayin and Kienholz are friends despite being in a competition. “You walk into that quarterback room and you’ve got a bunch of really, really good guys that all get along well and are willing to help each other out, give each other points and tips if they see something. It’s an enjoyable environment to be around every day, but ultimately those guys are competing.”
Julian Sayin
“I feel like I'm developing it, but I feel like it has to be authentic. You know, you can't be someone that you're not, so there's definitely different styles of leadership, but I feel like I'm developing into that vocal leadership role.”– Julian Sayin on if being a vocal leader comes naturally to him
- Sayin says he avoids social media during fall camp and keeps it “all about ball.” He adds he’ll text his family and close friends but outside of that circle mainly consists of his teammates and OSU’s coaches.
- While the quarterbacks are in competition with each other, primarily Sayin and Kienholz, Julian insists the room is close with each other and usually hang out together at Billy Fessler’s residence.
- Sayin says he’s bulked up to 210 pounds and measures at 6-foot-1 now.
- When Sayin isn’t focused on football he says he likes to go to the beach, hang with his friends and spend time with his family in California.
Lincoln Kienholz
“Just coming in and understanding the offense more and more, I think it helps you play faster and you see things differently.”– Lincoln Kienholz on where he's grown this offseason
- On what it means to be named an Iron Buckeye: “It’s something that I think is probably the biggest honor in the program, especially in the offseason. So it definitely means a lot.”
- Kienholz says that he and Sayin are constantly taking things from each other's games and applying them to the field. "I think we keep pushing each other. Each and every day in practice, there's different things that he does on film that I look at to get better, and then I think there's things that he looks at that I do, too. So I think we can use each other to get better and keep pushing."
- Kienholz agreed that he's had "drastic improvement" since the spring. "I think leadership-wise, that's something (that's grown). Body feels good as well. And then just going out there, being a leader for my teammates."
Tavien St. Clair
“I’m competing with myself. I’m trying to get better every day, be who I can be for this team, wherever that’s needed. I’m trying to be the best teammate I can be for these quarterbacks, the best teammate I can be for this team, because they’re all my brothers.”– Tavien St. Clair on his approach to his freshman year
- St. Clair said Ohio State’s quarterback room focuses on “embracing the uncomfortable.” He said you want to be comfortable in the game, but you want the defense to make you uncomfortable in practice so you grow.
- The freshman quarterback believes his biggest improvement since spring has been his command of the offense. He’s learned that you have to take what the defense gives you and trust your playmakers to make plays rather than trying to make every play himself.
- He said he learned in his first practice as a Buckeye that he needed to be more vocal and instill confidence in the players around him. “When you’re getting your butt kicked by the defense, you learn pretty quick that you have to be on your A-game.”
