Ryan Day reveals how a 5-star freshman is helping Ohio State prepare for Oregon QB Dillion Gabriel

From the journey as a 5-star recruit who looked to be Ohio State's future starter in 2025 to being the scout team's version of Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Air Noland has been everything the Buckeyes need. With this Big Ten showdown of the nation's No. 2 and No. 3 overall team playing a part in who makes the Big Ten title game in December, it's a good sign that Ohio State head coach Ryan Day trusts Noland.

In the lead-up to the Buckeyes' battle with Oregon this weekend, Day admitted that Noland was a logical choice to play the part of Gabriel in practice. The left-handed passer from Georgia has more similarities than throwing from the same side.

“He’s [Noland] been over there and doing a good job,” Day said. “He’s got a great arm. He’s athletic ... He’s been doing a good job for us.”

The true freshman has yet to see any real game action, instead watching fellow 5-star frosh Julian Sayin get the early time on the field. When we did get to see Noland in the spring game, he actually had quite a bit in common with Gabriel from a skill-set standpoint.

They do not have tremendously strong arms but are athletic and effective on shorter throws. There's certainly enough there for Noland to be a quality starter.

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Of course, Noland may never suit up meaningfully for the Buckeyes. Looking at his skill set, I think he might be more of a game manager like Gabriel than someone who will lead a national title contender without a tremendous supporting cast.

That's not shade on Noland, but the margin for playing time in Columbus is thin. Sayin appears to be the man to beat in 2025, and then Tavien St. Clair will surely have the job after Sayin departs.