Ohio State’s quarterback room earns national praise, ranked among the best for 2025, highlighting elite depth and future star potential.
As college football enters the new era of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, teams with deep, dynamic quarterback rooms stand out more than ever. And in a recent national ranking by several top analysts, one program’s quarterback room continues to generate headlines and admiration: the Ohio State Buckeyes.
With a potent mix of experience, raw talent, and future stardom, Ohio State’s quarterback depth chart has been ranked among the best in the nation entering the 2025 season. The Buckeyes not only have a proven starter in Tavien St. Clair but also boast a room filled with four- and five-star recruits pushing each other every day. It’s a combination that has coaches excited, teammates confident, and fans dreaming of multiple championships.
A Star in the Making: Tavien St. Clair
At the heart of Ohio State’s quarterback room is Tavien St. Clair, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound sophomore who took over the starting role in 2024 and never looked back. A former five-star recruit from Bellefontaine, Ohio, St. Clair led the Buckeyes to a national championship in his first year as a starter, throwing for over 4,200 yards and 37 touchdowns while adding another 400 yards and 7 scores on the ground.
St. Clair’s breakout year has made him a household name and a projected top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. His combination of poise, arm strength, mobility, and football IQ has drawn comparisons to Andrew Luck and C.J. Stroud—ironically, both comparisons from different eras of Ohio State’s quarterback evolution.
Quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis described St. Clair as “one of the most mature, locked-in players we’ve ever had in this program,” adding that his leadership is “as elite as his talent.”
Depth with Dangerous Upside
While St. Clair commands the spotlight, what truly elevates Ohio State’s quarterback room is the depth behind him. The Buckeyes have stockpiled elite talent, and their second- and third-string options would be starters at many Power Five programs.
1. Air Noland (RS Freshman)
The left-handed dual-threat quarterback from Georgia, Noland was a top-100 prospect in the 2024 class and redshirted last season while learning the system. Coaches praise his quick release, pocket awareness, and ability to extend plays.
“He’s a gamer,” said offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. “Air’s the kind of guy who, if called upon, could lead a team to wins right now.”
2. Julian Sayin (Sophomore Transfer)
The former Alabama signee transferred to Ohio State during the 2024 offseason and immediately upgraded the room. Sayin, a five-star quarterback from California, possesses elite footwork and accuracy and has impressed in spring practice with his grasp of Kelly’s up-tempo offense.
Analysts believe Sayin may have the highest NFL ceiling of anyone in the room not named St. Clair.
3. Troy Hatten (2025 Commit)
Though still in high school, Hatten—a five-star prospect out of Texas—has already earned comparisons to Trevor Lawrence due to his frame and deep-ball ability. He will enroll early in January and is seen as the future face of the program once St. Clair departs.
Coaching Chemistry
With Chip Kelly now fully integrated into Ohio State’s offensive structure after arriving from UCLA, the quarterback development pipeline has never looked stronger. Kelly’s reputation for maximizing quarterback potential is a major reason why Ohio State’s room ranks so highly.
“Coach Kelly has created an environment where every quarterback improves,” said Ryan Day. “From the starter to the scout team guy, every rep matters, every detail is emphasized.”
Kelly’s offense demands precision and quick decision-making—perfect for quarterbacks with high football IQs and fast processing speeds. That has helped accelerate the growth curve for young players like Noland and Sayin.
Recruiting Pipeline Stays Open
Ohio State’s quarterback success isn’t just a moment—it’s a movement. Thanks to Ryan Day’s reputation, Corey Dennis’s relationship-building, and Kelly’s offensive vision, the Buckeyes remain a top destination for elite signal-callers.
The 2026 recruiting class already includes early buzz around names like Jaxon Maddox from Arizona and K.J. Sellers from Florida, both of whom list Ohio State among their top choices. Meanwhile, the 2025 class is headlined by Hatten, who has drawn rave reviews from Elite 11 coaches and analysts.
“You look at what they’ve done—Fields, Stroud, McCord, now St. Clair—and recruits see a clear path to the NFL,” said 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong. “It’s not just branding. It’s a quarterback factory.”
National Recognition
In a recent quarterback room power ranking published by The Athletic, Ohio State came in at No. 2 nationally—behind only Georgia, which has three former five-stars on its depth chart. CBS Sports ranked the Buckeyes No. 1, citing St. Clair’s proven production and the presence of multiple elite backups as “an enviable combination no other team can match.”
Even former rivals are taking notice.
“You watch that film, and it’s like every QB on that roster could start for most teams in the SEC,” said an anonymous Big Ten defensive coordinator. “It’s scary.”
Fan Excitement and Expectation
Inside Buckeye Nation, expectations are as high as ever. Fans know they have the sport’s most important position locked down not just for this season, but likely for the next three. That level of continuity breeds confidence—and a sense of urgency to capitalize on this golden era.
“With St. Clair, Sayin, and Air Noland, it feels like we’ve got more than a QB room—we’ve got an armory,” said Jordan Smith, an Ohio State fan from Cincinnati. “It’s Natty or bust again this year. No excuses.”
That’s a sentiment echoed across social media, message boards, and campus tailgates. Ohio State fans are embracing the pressure because they know they have the firepower to meet it.
Managing Expectations and Playing Time
Of course, managing such a loaded room comes with challenges. In the transfer portal era, keeping multiple elite quarterbacks satisfied is a delicate dance. Day and Kelly have emphasized transparency and development over promises of playing time.
“We’re honest with every guy,” said Day. “We tell them: ‘You’ll be developed here. If you’re the best, you’ll play. And when your time comes, you’ll be ready.’”
So far, that message has worked. But as the season unfolds, keeping Sayin and Noland engaged while St. Clair takes every snap could become one of the staff’s toughest balancing acts.
The Legacy Question
Looking ahead, Ohio State has a chance to do something few programs ever achieve: build a dynasty behind consistent quarterback excellence. If St. Clair delivers another national title, and one of his successors picks up where he leaves off, the Buckeyes could carve out a modern legacy akin to Alabama’s under Saban or USC’s in the early 2000s.
That’s not hyperbole—it’s the natural outcome of assembling the country’s top QB room and backing it with NFL-level coaching and recruiting.
“Quarterback is the engine of any championship team,” said former Buckeye and ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit. “Right now, Ohio State’s engine is the most finely tuned in college football.”
Championship Caliber from Top to Bottom
As the 2025 season approaches, one thing is clear: Ohio State has built a quarterback room that is not only elite, but sustainable. With a national title in hand, a potential Heisman contender at the helm, and NFL-bound talent waiting in the wings, the Buckeyes are positioned to dominate the sport’s most important position for years to come.
For fans, it’s a dream scenario. For opponents, it’s a nightmare.
In a sport increasingly defined by quarterback play, Ohio State isn’t just competing—they’re leading. And if the rankings, film, and recruiting buzz are any indication, the best may still be ahead.
