From Elite 11 to the Horseshoe: Tavien St. Clair

It’s Game Week!

Okay, not a real game, but a spring game. And I’m on a flight to Columbus, Ohio to call my first ever game at The Horseshoe for Big Ten Network.

Spring football always brings excitement. It’s a time of hope, opportunity, and fresh beginnings for every player on the roster.

For the Ohio State Buckeyes, this spring is about the 2025 team beginning to write their own story following a thrilling College Football Playoff championship run. The energy around the program is electric, and this weekend gives us a first glimpse of what’s to come.

On today’s Y-Option podcast, presented by our founding partner 76, we dive into a full preview of the Buckeyes. I break down critical position battles and explain why I believe Ryan Day’s squad is primed for another CFP run. And here’s a spoiler: it’s not just because of their talent-rich roster - it’s the competitive culture Day has built that could be the difference maker.

One of the young men immersed in that environment is freshman quarterback Tavien St. Clair, a hometown kid who grew up less than an hour from Ohio State’s campus. Now he’s living his dream, wearing scarlet and gray this spring. Tavien and I sat down last summer at the Elite 11 Finals in Los Angeles, and in today’s episode, you’ll hear that conversation—his journey, his mindset, and the legacy he hopes to build.

Reflecting on that conversation reminded me of how special the Elite 11 experience has been for me over nearly two decades.

Back in 2009, my first year on the Elite 11 staff, the MVP was Jake Heaps. That class also featured Devin Gardner, Chandler Whitmer, Blake Bell, Nick Montana, and others. Meeting those athletes when they were 17 years old gave me a window into the unique world of top-tier quarterback prospects - a world filled with pressure, passion, and unpredictable journeys.

Now heading into my 17th year with Elite 11, we’ll share the same message with this year’s class that we gave to the ‘09 group and that we spell out in the best-selling book 5-Star QB: “The only thing that’s guaranteed is that your path won’t go exactly as you envision it.”

Looking back on that 2009 class, that truth has played out in so many ways:

* Jake Heaps transferred three times before a run in the NFL and is now a head coach in high school & the head coach of Elite 11.

* Devin Gardner played both wide receiver and quarterback at Michigan and now shines as a broadcaster with FOX Sports.

* Chandler Whitmer played at Illinois and UCONN and now serves as the QB coach at Indiana and in my eyes, is a rising star in the coaching ranks.

* Blake Bell won three Super Bowls - as a tight end.

* Nick Montana went from Washington to Tulane and today, he’s the co-founder and CEO of his own company.

Every one of them, like every Elite 11 QB since, imagined a long NFL career. And while not all had the career of Tom Brady or Jared Goff, they each carry incredible stories, filled with grit, growth, and perspective.

It’s a reminder that behind every 4 or 5-star ranking is a real human story. And here at Y-Option, we’re committed to telling those stories and shining a light on who these young athletes are vs who they are told they should be.

Hope you enjoy today’s episode featuring Buckeye signal-caller Tavien St. Clair - and as we evaluate their talent this Saturday in their spring game, let’s all remember that each of the players also have a story worth sharing.

Much lo