What 2025 QB Tavien St. Clair's commitment means for Ohio State football

The Columbus Dispatch Tavien St. Clair said he felt comfortable at Ohio State Wednesday afternoon. With Ohio State quarterbacks coach Corey Dennis standing behind him, the 2025 quarterback led Bellefontaine High School through the Buckeyes' annual 7-on-7 tournament, confidently moving around the pocket and moving his offense downfield. Having Dennis right behind him was something St. Clair said he was used to, knowing how quarterbacks have developed in and around his room and in head coach Ryan Day's offense. On Wednesday, St. Clair made that connection official, committing to Ohio State and becoming the first Ohio quarterback to commit to the Buckeyes since Joe Burrow in 2015. But St. Clair knew that he would need help. And the hours leading up to his commitment Wednesday, St. Clair was already focused on class building, keeping tabs on skill players he would want in a class with him. "I'm just trying to get those guys to come to whatever school I go to," St. Clair said. "I'm just trying to build relationships right now so that whatever school I end up, they can end up (there) with me." St. Clair has physically grown into a quarterback to build a 2025 class around. During his sophomore football season, St. Clair said he weighed 180 pounds. Heading into 7-on-7, St. Clair looked like a prototypical Ohio State quarterback, coming in just under 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds. “He was just so raw that he had no idea,” Bellefontaine offensive coordinator Jake Kennedy said. “I told him, ‘This is what makes you so special: that nothing’s ever been given to you. You’ve kind of been an underdog your whole life. You didn’t even know how good you could possibly be.’ “That’s what allows him to be better than other quarterbacks in the country is that he’s nowhere near where he’s going to be even still.” Recruits Tavien St Clair and Austin Alexander watch Ohio State warm up prior to the Buckeyes' game against Indiana. While St. Clair had offers from programs like Michigan State, Penn State and Indiana, Ohio State's offer led to the Bellefontaine quarterback getting more national attention, getting offers from LSU, Alabama, Mississippi State and Michigan in the weeks after. St. Clair is one of two Ohio State commits in the 2025 class along with defensive back Jontae Gilbert. But the rest of the class remains open, with prospects like offensive tackle David Sanders, wide receiver Jamie Ffrench, who already has Ohio State as a finalist, running back Bo Jackson and tight end Luka Gilbert available. But as Ohio State continues to finalize its 2024 class, St. Clair is seemingly ready to start building a group in 2025. "With the help of a quarterback, if he’s high profile, he’d be able to get anybody that he wants," St. Clair said. "That’s the main focus really is just to have the best team you can have."