Ohio State Buckeyes' QB competition takes big step forward with Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz

The Ohio State Buckeyes took a good look at their quarterback competition on Saturday.

The QBs in Columbus spent a lot of time throwing the ball deep during practice.

It's just one skill, but it's one an Ohio State starter needs to have, given the wide receiver talent at OSU, led by Jeremiah Smith.

Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz will continue the competition for a while, it seems, but there was one overall piece of good news on Saturday.

Local TV reporter Adam King wrote on X: "Today looked like the best day for both quarterbacks, especially in red zone work."

King also shared some great highlights:

— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) August 2, 2025

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Sayin is a five-star recruit from California who began his college career heading to Tuscaloosa before transferring from Alabama when Nick Saban retired.

Last season, Sayin got 12 regular season pass attempts, completing five for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Kienholz is out of South Dakota and was originally committed to Washington before coming to Ohio State.

He has been a backup in both 2023 and 2024. In 2023, he got to throw 22 passes, completing 10 for 111 yards. Kienholz didn't attempt a pass in 2024.

Sayin certainly seems to have the better pedigree and the upside that comes with it, but the Buckeyes seem to be keeping Kienholz in the competition, too. 

Whoever wins the job will be trying to defend a national title, so that's quite the crucial role.

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