Will Howard separating in Ohio State QB battle, but five-star true freshman Julian Sayin also turning heads

A front-runner is emerging in one of the most important quarterback battles of fall camp . While Ohio State has yet to name a starter for the 2024 season, Kansas State transfer Will Howard appears to be taking command of the Buckeyes' offense. According to Bucknuts' Patrick Murphy , Howard took all but one of the first-team reps during the team periods at Sunday's practice.

"It's becoming clearer that Howard will be this team's starter," Murphy said . " Devin Brown had arguably the most disappointing performance. After a nice throw that was dropped early, Brown missed on some passes that he had hit."

Last season, Brown battled for the Ohio State starting quarterback job alongside Kyle McCord, who transferred to Syracuse in December following the Buckeyes' loss to rival Michigan. With a glaring need for a seasoned quarterback, Ohio State brought in Howard from Kansas State, where he had made 28 starts over four years.

The Ohio State quarterback room has no shortage of talent. In fact, it might be the best overall group at that position in the country with a quartet of blue-chip prospects -- including five-star true freshman Julian Sayin . Sayin got the other first-team rep for Ohio State on Sunday, Murphy noted.

"The buzz on Julian Sayin so far behind the scenes is through the roof," Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins said Monday on the 247Sports College Football Show, which was broadcast on CBS Sports Network. "Yes, Jeremiah Smith, the five-star wide receiver, he's now there in Columbus, he's the one that turned heads. But Julian Sayin, I keep hearing it. If this guy gets on the field he might not relinquish the job. Kind of reminds me of when Tua Tagovailoa was backing up Jalen Hurts in 2018 at Alabama."

Tagovailoa famously led the Crimson Tide to overcome a 13-point deficit in the second half of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. After replacing an inefficient Jalen Hurts at halftime, Tagovaiola threw three touchdown passes, including a 41-yard completion in overtime for the walk-off score.

Although Howard seems like the clear favorite to come out on top of the Ohio State quarterback competition this month, Sayin, a potential rising star, is lurking to take control if the Buckeyes need a spark.

Sayin, who ranked as the No. 3 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class , initially signed and enrolled at Alabama in January. However, after Nick Saban retired as head coach, Sayin entered the transfer portal and soon arrived at Ohio State.

Sayin completed an astonishing 74.5% of his 212 pass attempts as a senior at Carlsbad (Calif.) in 2023. He threw just one interception and accounted for 28 total touchdowns.

The Buckeyes also have redshirt freshman Lincoln Kienholz , who took a total of 63 snaps in three games last season, as well as another top-100 freshman in Air Noland , the No. 7 quarterback from the 2024 recruiting class.

Ohio State opens the 2024 season against Akron Aug. 31. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Ohio State's 2024 season is nearly here. Fall camp is just around the corner and the Buckeyes will be back on the gridiron before we know it!

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