Ohio State Legend Cris Carter Compares Buckeye Backup Tavien St. Clair to NFL Star Patrick Mahomes

Cris Carter, an iconic figure in Ohio State football history, recently shared his assessment of current backup quarterback Tavien St. Clair. During a podcast appearance, Carter drew a bold comparison between the young prospect and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Carter observed that St. Clair displays the traits of a polished pocket passer with the athleticism to pose a threat on the ground. While St. Clair possesses a different skill set than former Buckeye star Justin Fields, Carter noted that St. Clair shows superior throwing mechanics. He emphasized that St. Clair maintains a focus on downfield anticipation rather than relying solely on legs, which serves his long-term growth as a signal-caller.

Although St. Clair has seen limited collegiate action, his physical profile and performance during spring sessions point toward a bright future. Standing at 6-4 and 230 pounds, the former top-ranked recruit is currently learning behind starter Julian Sayin. Coaching staff members expect this developmental period to prepare him for a primary role in the coming years.

Expectations remain high for the Bellefontaine native. The current plan positions St. Clair as the starter for the 2027 season, following the projected NFL departure of Sayin. With the guidance of head coach Ryan Day, the program anticipates St. Clair will become a fixture of their offensive production.