What Ohio State's Ryan Day had to say about quarterbacks ahead of spring football game

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- After three weeks, Ohio State is in the homestretch of spring practice.

Ohio State has one final week of drills before taking the field Saturday at Ohio Stadium for the annual spring game. Coach Ryan Day and coordinators Matt Patricia and Brian Hartline addressed the media to discuss the preparations for the exhibition this weekend.

After Monday's practice, the defending national champions will have three sessions left, including Saturday's spring game at the Horseshoe, which will begin at noon. Day said Saturday's game will see all players live for tackles, except the quarterbacks.

Competition at different positions continues to evolve, including quarterback, where the race remains fluid between third-year Lincoln Kienholz, second-year Julian Sayin and true freshman Tavien St. Clair. Day said Monday they are still in the "growth" phase as each quarterback has had good and not so good days throughout spring practices.

"I think it's fair to say that Tavien has the longest way to go because of his lack of experience," said Day. "He is picking it up and he is getting it every day. Lincoln and Julian are pretty much neck-and-neck right now."

Hartline added that he is seeing each quarterback prepare outside of practice and that "they are doing a good job but I can't say that it is ever good enough." He said each QB is hard on themselves because of the expectations inside Ohio State's quarterback room.

The running back room is also competitive with James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon looking to prove themselves against West Virginia transfer C.J. Donaldson. A total of 27 new players are on the roster, including 21 true freshmen and six transfers. Hartline said the running backs have done a good job but they can get the most feedback when they go live and have a chance to "break tackles."

Outside of the position competitions, stars of last season's national championship team are evolving. Day said receiver Jeremiah Smith is expanding his route tree, including working on starting routes from the slot, and looking at getting "that 1% better every day."

Hartline touted Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate as the two guys that "jump out" as players who have stepped into leadership roles in the receiver room.