Ohio State evaluates Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair as replacements for injured Julian Sayin

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said the team faces a "challenge for both Luke and Tavien to step up in a big way" as it looks for a replacement for injured quarterback Julian Sayin. Day added that the program’s plan was always for the two players to be ready to play, noting, "The plan when both those guys came here was to play, and here they are. This is an unbelievable opportunity for them, and they have to seize it."

Freshman quarterback Luke Fahey has taken over as the backup and is now positioned as the immediate option, while sophomore Tavien St. Clair, a five-star recruit who has been with the program since June 2023, remains a longer-term prospect. St. Clair, a 6-foot-4, 235-pound player praised for his arm strength and athleticism, has not yet been deemed ready for the starting role.

The competition comes as Ohio State seeks to maintain its College Football Playoff aspirations over the next five games without Sayin. The coaching staff, including general manager Mark Pantoni, emphasized the importance of thorough evaluation during this period.

Analysts have noted that while Ohio State has a strong history of quarterback development, recent years have shown mixed results for highly rated recruits. The current situation adds to broader discussions about the reliability of five-star ratings in predicting collegiate success.