Ohio State QB1 Battle Updated by Ryan Day After Julian Sayin's Injury vs. Indiana

Ohio State's quarterback battle following Julian Sayin's injury against Indiana will be one of the most consequential storylines of the College Football Playoff race down the stretch of the season, and head coach Ryan Day provided an update Thursday.

"Ultimately, I make the final decision, but you take the input from the coaches, take the input from our personnel department and then the players as well," Day told reporters when discussing Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair competing for the starting role. "They're the ones in the huddle with these guys. That's what it comes down to."

That Day is taking feedback from players is notable, and it's safe to assume one of those players he talks to will be Jeremiah Smith.

Smith is arguably the best player in college football, and getting the ball into the hands of the Heisman Trophy favorite will be the most important thing that either Fahey or St. Clair can do when they are under center.

The importance of the quarterback battle extends beyond the Buckeyes' next game against USC, as Day told reporters Tuesday it is "doubtful" Sayin will return for the regular season following his setback in the win over the Hoosiers.

Ohio State lost a Heisman Trophy finalist from last year and one of its offensive leaders with the injury. 

What's more, an already difficult schedule with remaining games against USC, Oregon, Nebraska, Michigan and Northwestern is now all the more daunting without its starting quarterback who completed 68.2 percent of his passes for 2,007 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions prior to the injury.

Ohio State Buckeyes - Indiana Hoosiers Highlights

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It may have been something of a surprise for fans heading into the season when Fahey was the backup quarterback and the one who entered games after Sayin exited.

After all, he is a true freshman and was a 3-star prospect, per 247Sports' composite rankings. By comparison, St. Clair was a 5-star recruit in the 2025 class, per 247Sports' composite rankings, and has been on campus for far longer.

Ohio State turned to Fahey to finish the game against Indiana following Sayin's injury, but the timing of its bye week ahead of the next contest gives Day and the coaching staff more time to evaluate the position moving forward with the context now changed.

And that evaluation is already well underway if the head coach's comments on Thursday are any indication.