When one of the greatest wide receivers in Ohio State history compares a current OSU quarterback to an NFL great, it's certainly worth listening to.
During a recent episode of the Fully Loaded podcast on July 13, Shawn Meaike asked a question from a listener: "What do you think of Tavien St. Clair, the backup for the Buckeyes? I think he could be Justin Fields."
After gathering his thoughts, Cris Carter not only compared TSC to Patrick Mahomes, but said that he's a better thrower than Fields, just not as good a runner.
Could Tavien St. Clair be Ohio State's next star quarterback? Everything points in that direction. He's an outstanding athlete. Can extend plays. Has the ability to run. But wins first as a passer. That's the difference. The best college quarterbacks don't just rely on their legs pic.twitter.com/4qBIo9IJhz
— Fully Loaded The Podcast (@FullyLoaded_Pod) July 21, 2026
“He looks like a version of Patrick Mahomes. Really good athlete, can be a dual threat, (but) is more of a pocket passer,” Carter said. “Had a great spring, good-looking prospect. I think what Ryan Day and the quarterbacks that he's developed – he's a better thrower than Justin Fields. He's not as good a runner as Justin Fields. But man, I don't want to see a guy running like Justin Fields was running, because ultimately, it hurts your growth and development as a passer, especially when anticipating down the field. But, great-looking athlete. ... I saw him this year (when I) spent the week with the Buckeyes in spring football.
“Yes, he looks like the next starting quarterback if our guy Julian Sayin decides to leave college with two years of eligibility left,” the former wideout said. “The Buckeyes are going to be in good hands with him … a future NFL quarterback.”
St. Clair hasn't received significant snaps at Ohio State yet, totaling only 13 snaps in 2025, all of which were in the second game of the season, when he missed on both of his pass attempts. That said, the 6-4, 230-pound gunslinger showcased some of his ability as a passer during the spring game in April, completing nine of 21 throws for 166 yards and a touchdown, a few of which were some of the best passes of the game. St. Clair completed three of five deep balls for 112 yards and a score during the game.
Tavien St. Clair Chris Henry Jr. pic.twitter.com/My9Q7hvZq8
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 18, 2026
After a dominant two-year run at Texas Tech, Mahomes has led the Kansas City Chiefs to three Super Bowl titles and has been named MVP twice.
In two seasons at Ohio State, Fields completed 396 of 579 passes (68.4%) for 5,373 yards, 63 touchdowns and only nine interceptions, leading the Big Ten in passing yards and passing touchdowns each of the two years. He also ran for 867 yards and 15 touchdowns on 218 carries as a Buckeye.
Entering his second season at Ohio State, St. Clair has climbed the depth chart, as he will be the backup to Sayin this season. It will be another season of development while learning behind a second-year starter who had one of the most accurate passing seasons in college football history.
St. Clair arrived in Columbus as the No. 3-ranked quarterback in the 2025 class after a standout high school career at Bellefontaine.
If all goes according to plan, St. Clair will be OSU's starting quarterback in 2027 after Sayin is selected in the 2027 NFL draft. And it will be at that point that he can showcase whether he really does compare to Mahomes and Fields.
