Eric Boggs
With spring practices underway, Ohio State quarterbacks coach Billy Fessler is focused on one thing: development. Officially named the Buckeyes’ quarterbacks coach last month, Fessler has wasted no time immersing himself in the battle for the starting job while ensuring his players continue to grow with each rep.
Fessler, a former Penn State quarterback with coaching stops at Slippery Rock, Mississippi State, Akron, and UCLA, isn’t new to the Ohio State program. He spent last season as an offensive analyst for the Buckeyes, gaining an up-close look at what it takes to lead the Scarlet and Gray under center. Now, in his first year as the full-time quarterbacks coach, he is emphasizing consistency, toughness, and the relentless pursuit of improvement in his players.
Quarterback Battle in Full Swing
While Buckeye Nation eagerly anticipates the emergence of Ohio State’s next starting quarterback, Fessler remains grounded in the process rather than the outcome.
“We’re just a long way away from even talking about how close it is,” Fessler said when asked about the competition. “Right now, those three guys are really just focused on getting better every single time they step in this building.”
Ohio State’s quarterback room features a trio of talented signal-callers vying for the starting spot: Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, and Tavien St. Clair. Each brings a unique skill set to the table, but Fessler is focused on one key attribute—consistency.
“All three of them did stuff that at points throughout practice, we get really excited about,” Fessler noted. “Now, we’ve got a long way to go because it’s about doing it consistently.”
Julian Sayin’s Quick Release and Development
Of the three quarterbacks, Sayin has drawn early attention for his mechanics, particularly his quick release. A five-star recruit with a natural throwing motion, Sayin’s ability to get the ball out quickly is an advantage, but Fessler stresses that there’s more to playing quarterback at Ohio State than just a fast delivery.
“You can’t sacrifice arm strength for a quick release,” Fessler said. “We’re continuing to work to build that arm strength, to strengthen his core, to work rotationally, because he is such a rotational thrower.”
Sayin’s early familiarity with the program has given him a slight edge in understanding the system, but Fessler tempers expectations, reminding everyone that the freshman is still transitioning to the college level.
“At the end of the day, he’s still a guy that should be in high school,” Fessler pointed out. “Does it help that he was around all spring and in meetings? Yeah. But it takes time to truly understand and apply it on the field.”
Lincoln Kienholz’s Year of Growth
Returning quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has made strides since arriving in Columbus last summer. Fessler highlighted his improved command of the offense and a better understanding of how to connect his footwork with his reads.
“You’re starting to see more and more of that from Lincoln,” Fessler said. “It’s not growth that happened over two practices. It’s growth that’s been happening from the time I got here in June through right now.”
Despite working under multiple quarterback coaches in a short span, Kienholz has remained adaptable, turning each coaching change into a learning opportunity.
“What Lincoln can get from having three different quarterback coaches is maybe just three slightly different perspectives where the message is still the same,” Fessler said. “That can definitely be an advantage.”
Toughness Defines the Quarterback Room
At Ohio State, the expectation for quarterbacks extends beyond arm strength and decision-making. Fessler, following head coach Ryan Day’s lead, has instilled a culture of toughness in his room.
“We talk about it all the time—if we want to show we’re the toughest guys on the team, we do that by showing we’re the hardest working guys on the team,” Fessler said. “We have to be the mentally toughest guys on the team. We have to move on to the next most important thing.”
That mental toughness, Fessler believes, will be the key differentiator as the quarterback competition unfolds. While all three quarterbacks are putting in the extra work, the one who does it most consistently will rise to the top.
“Anyone can do something just once,” Fessler stated. “Can I be the guy that can do it consistently?”
A Legacy of Excellence
With the quarterback battle still in its early stages, Fessler remains confident in the group Ohio State has assembled.
“I’m confident all three of them can be the guy at Ohio State,” he said. “Now it’s just a matter of who goes out and wins the job.”
The Buckeyes have a rich history of elite quarterbacks, something Fessler and his players are constantly reminded of when they walk into the quarterback room.
“We’ve got pictures of all the great Ohio State quarterbacks up on the wall,” Fessler said. “It’s pretty neat, but above all, you can talk about what made those guys different.”
As Ohio State fans eagerly await the decision on the next starting quarterback, Fessler’s approach provides confidence that whoever wins the job will be battle-tested, prepared, and ready to lead the Buckeyes to championship contention.
