The pressure in Columbus isn't just a thing people talk about; it’s a physical weight. You can feel it when you walk near the Horseshoe. For an Ohio State quarterback, that weight is doubled. After Will Howard hoisted the national championship trophy in early 2025 and headed off to the Pittsburgh Steelers, everyone started asking the same thing: who’s next?
Well, we have our answer. His name is Julian Sayin.
Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to the Buckeyes' depth chart lately, you’ve missed a total transformation of the room. This isn't just about a "new guy" taking snaps. It's about a kid who was a Heisman finalist as a redshirt freshman in 2025 and is now entering the 2026 season as the undisputed leader of the offense. Sayin isn't just the Ohio State new QB in the sense of a fresh face; he's the foundation of what Ryan Day is building for the next decade.
The Wild Road to Julian Sayin
Let’s look at how we actually got here, because it was a mess for a minute. Remember the 2024 season? We had Howard, Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and even Air Noland. It was crowded.
Then Sayin showed up from Alabama after Nick Saban retired. He basically walked into the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and forced the coaches to look at him. By the time the 2025 season rolled around, he beat out Kienholz in a battle that lasted right up until the Texas game.
What makes Sayin different? It’s the efficiency. In 2025, he didn't just play well; he broke records. We’re talking about a 78.4% completion rate. That’s not just good for a freshman; that’s the highest in NCAA history, moving past Bo Nix's old record. He threw for 3,329 yards and 30 touchdowns.
But it wasn't always perfect.
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Fans on Reddit and at the bars in Short North still bring up the mobility issue. If you watched the 2025 game against Miami, you saw him get rattled early. He isn't a "dual-threat" in the way we've seen before. He’s a pocket technician. When the protection breaks down, some critics—like the guys over at Eleven Warriors—have pointed out he can look a bit stationary.
Why the 2026 Season Feels Different
Coming into this spring, the vibe is different. Sayin isn't fighting for his life in a position battle anymore. He's the guy.
The roster around him has shifted too. The Buckeyes just landed Justyn Martin from the transfer portal (his third school, by the way) to provide some veteran backup depth. Why? Because Lincoln Kienholz decided to move on, and Air Noland is now over at Memphis after a stop at South Carolina.
Then there’s the "local hero" factor. Tavien St. Clair, the five-star kid from Bellefontaine, is sitting right there at No. 2 on the depth chart. St. Clair is 6-foot-4 and looks like an NFL prototype. There is a segment of the fanbase that is already salivating at the thought of St. Clair’s mobility, but Ryan Day has been firm: this is Julian’s team.
What you need to know about the 2026 QB Room:
- The Starter: Julian Sayin (Redshirt Sophomore). Heisman finalist, record-breaker, incredibly accurate.
- The Challenger: Tavien St. Clair. High ceiling, local favorite, will likely see situational packages.
- The Safety Net: Justyn Martin. Transfer from Maryland/UCLA. He’s here for experience in case of injury.
- The Freshman: Luke Fahey. The new kid on the block learning the system.
The Mobility Myth and Ryan Day’s Offense
People keep saying Sayin can't run. That’s kinda unfair. Is he Lamar Jackson? No. But if you watch the tape from the back half of the 2025 season, he started "dancing" in the pocket much better. He learned how to climb the pocket and deliver strikes while taking a hit.
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Coach Chip Kelly and Ryan Day have clearly tailored this offense to Sayin’s brain. He makes decisions faster than Howard did. The ball comes out of his hand with a different kind of zip.
Wait, let's talk about the receivers for a second, because the Ohio State new QB is only as good as the guys catching the ball. Jeremiah Smith is still there. Let that sink in. Smith is going to be a junior, and his chemistry with Sayin is basically telepathic at this point.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that there is a "quarterback controversy" brewing because of Tavien St. Clair’s talent.
Stop.
There isn't one. Day learned his lesson with the McCord/Brown saga. He wants stability. Sayin earned that stability by leading the team to a 12-0 regular season last year. While the postseason didn't end with another ring, you can't blame the kid who was completing nearly 80% of his passes.
The real challenge for the 2026 season isn't the talent in the QB room; it's the offensive line. If the line—led by guys like Austin Siereveld and Luke Montgomery—can't keep Sayin clean, then his lack of elite "scramble-drill" ability becomes a problem.
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Real-World Expectations
If you're betting on the Buckeyes this year, expect a lot of high-completion, intermediate passing. Sayin loves the middle of the field. He’s a surgeon with the RPO.
We might see St. Clair come in for specific red-zone packages or "heavy" looks where a running threat actually matters, but don't expect a two-QB system. That almost never works at this level.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season:
- Watch the Spring Game: Pay attention to Sayin's footwork. If he looks more comfortable moving outside the tackle box, the Big Ten is in trouble.
- Keep an eye on Tavien St. Clair: His development is the "insurance policy." If Sayin takes a big hit, the drop-off in talent might be smaller than we think, but the style of play will change 180 degrees.
- Jeremiah Smith Watch: The Sayin-to-Smith connection is the primary engine of this offense. If teams double Smith, see if Sayin can consistently find Brandon Inniss or Carnell Tate in the slot.
The Buckeyes have the talent. They have the experience. Now, it's just about whether Julian Sayin can turn those record-breaking stats into another gold pants win and a trip back to the CFP. He’s got the keys to the Ferrari; he just needs to keep it on the road.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close watch on the official Ohio State availability reports released on Friday nights during the season, as any minor tweak to Sayin's health will immediately shift the betting lines and the offensive strategy toward St. Clair's power-running style.