Ohio State backs up freshman quarterback Luke Fahey as Tavien St. Clair remains second-string
Freshman Luke Fahey will start for Ohio State after Julian Sayin’s injury, while Tavian St. Clair moves to the backup role for the remainder of the 2026 season.
Ohio State announced that true freshman quarterback Luke Fahey will start for the Buckeyes for the rest of the 2026 season after senior Julian Sayin was sidelined with an injury. Tavian St. Clair, who was recruited as a potential starter, will serve as Fahey’s backup.
Coach Ryan Day had previously hinted at the possibility of a different backup during Big Ten Media Days and reiterated the plan in fall camp after Fahey earned the starting role. The shift marks a change from the program’s four-year plan that positioned St. Clair as the eventual starter.
The move raises questions about the quarterback depth chart beyond the current season, including whether Fahey could retain the starting job in 2027, if Sayin will return, or if Ohio State might explore other options in the transfer portal.
"When Fahey took the field first against Ball State, that made it real, killing a two-year idea about a homegrown product in the process," a source familiar with the program said.
St. Clair, a former five-star recruit who spent two years developing at Ohio State, remains a viable option for teams seeking a 6-foot-4, 235-pound quarterback.
The Buckeyes continue to pursue their championship goals while navigating the evolving quarterback situation.