Woody Hayes Athletic Center, Columbus — Ohio State’s quarterback battle took a jarring turn on Wednesday afternoon when true‑freshman sensation Tavien St. Clair crumpled to the turf after a horse‑collar tackle in an 11‑on‑11 period and immediately grabbed his right knee. The rookie, rated the nation’s No. 3 QB in the 2025 class, limped to the sideline as stunned teammates fell into a hush normally reserved for November Saturdays. Yet in classic Midwestern grit, St. Clair soon flashed a thumbs‑up and told reporters, “I’ll be alright,” even as the medical staff whisked him away for tests.
Horse‑collar tackles have been outlawed at every level for exactly this reason: the twisting, backward fall often traps a lower leg under the ball‑carrier’s body and can shear knee ligaments. The NCAA tightened its wording again last season, removing the “open‑field” caveat so quarterbacks inside the pocket are now fully protected, yet the maneuver still slips through in live drills. Common results range from MCL sprains to dreaded ACL tears — injuries that can derail a season before it begins.
According to Campus2Canton’s quick report, staffers described St. Clair’s injury as a “tweak” rather than a full tear. He stayed in for one play, threw an ill‑advised interception on a rollout, then agreed to shut it down for precaution. An on‑site evaluation suggested minimal structural damage, but an MRI was scheduled for Thursday morning to rule out micro‑tears. If the scan confirms no major ligament trauma, St. Clair could be back in seven to ten days — though Ohio State’s trainers may slow‑play that timeline with August camp six weeks away.
The Buckeyes already had the most talked‑about quarterback derby in the country. Red‑shirt freshman Julian Sayin dominated the spring game and arrived at workouts as the perceived front‑runner, but third‑year passer Lincoln Kienholz scored higher in internal practice grades, per Ryan Day. Now the five‑star newcomer from Bellefontaine — whose laser accuracy in June camps once had coaches whispering “Day‑one starter” — risks falling behind in live‑rep volume.
Day, whose program just ended a decade‑long national‑title drought, has declared the race “neck‑and‑neck‑and‑neck.” Wednesday’s scare forces him to juggle two mandates: protect the future while preparing the present. Sources said Day told the room, “Tavien’s health comes first. Nobody wins a job on June 18th.” Yet privately he knows continuity matters; relegating St. Clair to mental‑rep duty could cement Sayin’s lead before fall camp even starts.
Before the mishap, Land‑Grant Holy Land asked Buckeye Nation which freshman they were most excited to watch — St. Clair topped the poll. Comment threads lit up after the news: some fans urged caution (“No need to risk it, we need him for Michigan”), others claimed it proves Sayin’s destiny (“The kid can’t even survive 7‑on‑7, give Julian the keys”). One sarcastic post read, “At least Lincoln still has both knees!” The social‑media schism underscores just how feverish this position battle has become.
At 6‑foot‑4, 225 pounds and already an Elite 11 accuracy‑challenge winner, St. Clair blends NFL frame with twitchy movement. Coaches rave about his anticipatory throws and quiet leadership; teammates point to the four‑hour film sessions he organized during finals week. That dedication, more than the five‑star label, is why insiders believed he could push Sayin and Kienholz by mid‑season. Even a brief layoff interrupts invaluable timing reps with route‑running savant Jeremiah Smith and slot lightning J.J. Williams.
If Thursday’s MRI reveals only a Grade‑1 MCL sprain — the best‑case scenario — protocol usually calls for bracing, light pool work, and re‑entry after swelling subsides. Ohio State’s sports‑science team famously keeps players on treadmills that reduce body‑weight impact by up to 80 percent; running‑back Quinshon Judkins shaved a two‑week return off an ankle sprain last fall using that tech. Expect similar caution plus innovation here.
Ohio State opens with Southern Miss on August 30 before traveling to Texas for a marquee Week 2 clash. Day has said he’d like to know his starter “well before Labor Day.” St. Clair’s tweak compresses his runway to prove he can read post‑snap rotations and manage tempo at burnt‑orange‑stadium volume. In contrast, Sayin’s momentum grows by simply staying upright. Yet veteran observers recall 2014, when J.T. Barrett emerged from third string to playoff hero in 20 days; nothing is settled in Columbus until the visor‑man says so.
Wednesday’s incident also re‑ignites debate over live tackling quarterbacks in June. The NCAA’s horse‑collar language may be crystal clear, but enforcement in closed practices depends on staff vigilance. One assistant was overheard shouting, “Wrap at the waist, not the pads!” after the whistle. Whether the moment sparks a policy tweak or is chalked up to summer adrenaline, Buckeye brass will weigh risk versus developmental reward.
St. Clair is expected to speak again once imaging results return. If the diagnosis is mild, he’ll likely spend a week in the hydro room and then resume seven‑on‑seven with a hinged brace. Should doctors find anything more serious, the redshirt conversation — once unthinkable — could surface. Either way, the Horseshoe faithful now have another subplot to dissect: will the kid who grew up an hour north of Columbus bounce back in time to keep the three‑headed QB saga alive, or has the race quietly narrowed to two?
