When Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin went down with an injury during the October 17 game against Indiana, it was true freshman Luke Fahey who jogged onto the field as his replacement. That move completely caught former Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer off guard, and he wasn’t shy about it. “Wait a minute, where is [Tavien] St. Clair? What’s happening here?” Meyer questioned on “The Triple Option” show just a few days later on October 20.
Where Was Tavien St. Clair?
Meyer’s surprise wasn’t just some random thought. It came from a clear expectation set months ago. During Ohio State’s preseason camp, coach Ryan Day had explicitly stated that Tavien St. Clair, a five-star recruit with huge hype, would be splitting second-team reps in practice with Fahey, a three-star talent. The implication was a clear competition for that backup spot, with St. Clair, the higher-rated prospect, presumably having a strong chance to emerge. So when Sayin was sidelined, Meyer, like a lot of us, was expecting to see the guy who was supposed to be in that competition for the backup spot, especially one with a five-star tag.
A Pattern Emerges
The Indiana game wasn’t the first time Fahey got the nod over St. Clair either. Way back on September 5, during the Ball State game, it was Fahey who stepped in after Sayin’s day was done. This early season decision established a clear pecking order, contradicting the preseason talk of split reps and an open competition. Now with Sayin out, whether for a series or longer, the stakes are real for the Buckeyes, and the question about why a highly touted recruit like St. Clair isn’t getting those reps is louder than ever. It makes you wonder what’s really going on behind closed doors.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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