Ohio State Football Starting QB Battle: Kienholz and St. Clair Express Concerns Over Potential Bench Roles
COLUMBUS, OH — The competition for the starting quarterback position at Ohio State has become more intense as two highly touted quarterbacks, Lincoln Kienholz and Tavien St. Clair, have both expressed their concerns about potentially being relegated to the bench in the upcoming 2025 season.
Kienholz, a talented transfer from South Dakota, had been expected to make an immediate impact with the Buckeyes, following a successful stint in the FCS. St. Clair, a five-star freshman and one of the top recruits in Ohio State’s 2025 class, has also generated significant buzz around his potential to start right away.
Sources close to the program have revealed that both Kienholz and St. Clair have privately threatened to leave if they are not given a fair opportunity to compete for the starting job. With Ohio State’s QB position often being one of the most coveted in the nation, both players are adamant that they expect to be given a legitimate shot to win the role, rather than be left on the bench behind an established quarterback.
The situation has put head coach Ryan Day and the coaching staff in a challenging position, as they have to balance the needs of the team with the aspirations of highly recruited players. If the situation is not handled carefully, there is a risk of losing both Kienholz and St. Clair to transfers, which could undermine Ohio State’s future at the position.
As the spring practice sessions unfold, it will be critical for Day and his staff to evaluate the quarterbacks’ progress and ensure that all players feel valued in the competition. Whether Kienholz and St. Clair’s threats are a genuine call for attention or a negotiation tactic remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the quarterback battle in Columbus is far from over.
