Ohio State signee Tavien St. Clair shares 1-word reaction to former QB Air Noland's transfer

By Aman Sharma

Modified Dec 24, 2024 17:46 GMT

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Ohio State quarterback recruit Tavien St. Clair didn’t need many words to show his excitement about former teammate Air Noland's next chapter. Posting on his Instagram story on Monday, St. Clair summed it up simply with "Yessuh," a brief but supportive response to Noland’s move from Ohio State to South Carolina.

Image via Ig@tavienSt.clair

Air Noland, who joined the Buckeyes in January, spent just one season with the program before entering the NCAA transfer portal. Noland’s transfer followed a visit to South Carolina last week, signaling his interest in the Gamecocks ahead of the official announcement.

Noland had originally committed to Ohio State in April 2023, standing out as one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the Elite 11 finals that summer. However, the Buckeyes' quarterback depth became increasingly competitive after Alabama transfer Julian Sayin joined.

This created a five-player scholarship quarterback room for Ohio State through spring practices. During the Buckeyes’ spring game, Noland completed 5 of 7 passes for 47 yards but threw one interception.

His high school career was far more prolific. As a senior at Langston Hughes High School in Georgia, the southpaw threw for 2,140 yards and 22 touchdowns. His junior year, though, was exceptional. He had 4,095 passing yards and 55 touchdowns, culminating in a state championship.

Ranked as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024, Air Noland was the No. 5 quarterback nationally and the No. 59 overall prospect, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

Air Noland finds new opportunity at South Carolina after leaving Ohio State

Air Noland was the second Ohio State quarterback to enter the transfer portal this offseason. The former top-60 recruit in the 2024 class is heading to the SEC, joining the South Carolina Gamecocks. Noland spent one season at Ohio State but never played, buried as the fifth quarterback on the Buckeyes' depth chart.

Air Noland's addition addresses South Carolina's depth concerns behind starter LaNorris Sellers while also offering a long-term, high-potential option. As noted by Fisher Brewer of Sports Illustrated:

"Noland, who was an Elite 11 finalist and finished second in the prestigious quarterback competition, is known for his elite accuracy and poised decision-making. While he has the ability to move in the pocket, his game is more aligned with a pro-style quarterback. Uniquely, he is a rare left-handed passer, which adds another layer of intrigue to his game."

At Ohio State, Noland was unlikely to move higher than third-string, with Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz expected to lead the competition for the starting role in 2025. Five-star recruit Tavien St. Clair, set to join the Buckeyes next month, also adds to their quarterback depth.