Ohio State’s Quarterback Recruiting Hits a Wall—And One Big Reason Might Be Already on the Roster
The Ohio State Buckeyes are finding themselves in unfamiliar territory this recruiting cycle, as they’ve yet to secure a quarterback for their 2026 class. As the recruiting landscape heats up, two of the program’s top targets—Derrek Zammit and Jett Thomalla—have already committed elsewhere. Zammit chose the Washington Huskies, while Thomalla is heading to Iowa State. These developments have created growing concerns within the Buckeye fanbase about the future of the quarterback position, especially with other top options slipping away.
Adding to the challenge is the looming possibility of losing another top-tier recruit, this time to their biggest rival. Nathan Bernhard, a standout signal-caller from Ashland High School in Ohio, is heavily leaning toward committing to the University of Michigan. With interest from both the Wolverines and Buckeyes, Bernhard’s final decision could deliver a significant blow to Ohio State’s recruiting efforts—especially considering his in-state status.
But what’s really behind the Buckeyes’ recent quarterback recruiting woes? According to insiders, one major reason could actually be a player who’s already wearing scarlet and gray: freshman Tavien St. Clair.
St. Clair, a highly touted 6-foot-4 quarterback, committed to Ohio State as part of the 2025 class and is already being viewed as the future of the program. Rated a five-star prospect and one of the top signal-callers in the country, St. Clair’s early enrollment has given him a head start in learning the Buckeyes’ system. His presence, however, could be creating a perceived logjam at the position, discouraging other elite recruits from joining a depth chart already featuring such a promising young talent.
It’s a complicated dynamic. On one hand, having a quarterback like St. Clair in the fold is a major win for Ohio State. But on the flip side, his early emergence may be creating uncertainty for other prospects who don’t want to wait two or three years for their shot. This isn’t uncommon in college football—top quarterbacks often want immediate opportunities or a clear path to start within a year or two.
Steve Wiltfong of On3 addressed the situation in a recent update, noting how the recruiting winds are shifting in Michigan’s favor for Bernhard. “The Wolverines are trending on the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine for Ashland (Ohio) quarterback Nathan Bernhard following a visit and offer earlier this month,” Wiltfong wrote. He went on to explain how Ohio State’s current quarterback room—specifically the presence of St. Clair—is making it harder for the Buckeyes to generate excitement among new recruits. “Like Alabama,” he noted, “Ohio State isn’t finding a lot of guys excited to come in behind five-star Tavien St. Clair who signed in 2025.”
In other words, while St. Clair represents the future for Ohio State, his presence may also be inadvertently narrowing the team’s recruiting pipeline at quarterback—at least for the immediate future.
St. Clair’s on-field performance is adding to that perception. He recently had his first chance to show off his skills during Ohio State’s spring game on April 12, and while the day had its ups and downs, the potential was undeniable. He completed 11 of 15 passes for 116 yards and threw a highlight-reel touchdown to freshman wide receiver Phillip Bell. It was the kind of throw that turns heads and makes coaches and fans alike sit up and take notice.
Still, the outing wasn’t flawless. St. Clair threw two early interceptions and showed some nerves under pressure—something to be expected from a player making his debut in front of a crowd hungry for a new quarterback star. After the game, head coach Ryan Day addressed the media and provided a measured assessment of St. Clair’s performance. During his Student Appreciation Day press conference, Day admitted the young quarterback “has the longest way to go” out of the three competing for this season’s starting quarterback role.
That comment suggests that while St. Clair’s long-term upside is massive, he’s not quite ready to take over just yet. Still, the mere fact that he’s in the conversation—coupled with his recruiting pedigree and flashes of brilliance—has solidified his place as a cornerstone for the Buckeyes’ future.
But this bright outlook for St. Clair could be clouding Ohio State’s ability to attract other top-tier quarterback recruits. With players like Bernhard eyeing programs where the path to playing time appears more immediate—like Michigan—Ohio State may need to pivot its approach. That could mean targeting under-the-radar prospects, developing long-term projects, or possibly looking to the transfer portal to bridge any future gaps.
This situation also speaks to a broader trend in modern college football. The era of quarterback patience is over. With the transfer portal offering instant mobility and NIL opportunities now a factor, players are more strategic than ever about where they commit. They want the chance to compete early, get exposure, and capitalize on their college careers—especially at marquee programs like Ohio State.
For the Buckeyes, it’s a delicate balancing act. On one hand, they’ve secured a potential franchise quarterback in Tavien St. Clair. On the other, they must continue to fill the pipeline and maintain depth at a position that can be one play away from disaster. The 2026 recruiting cycle may be a bit of a struggle, but long-term, the Buckeyes are still in a strong position.
Whether or not they land another elite quarterback this cycle remains to be seen. But as St. Clair continues to develop, his presence will remain both a blessing and a potential obstacle in Ohio State’s ongoing search for quarterback talent.
