The Woody Hayes Athletic Center is quiet today, but the noise surrounding the Ohio State starting quarterback position is louder than ever. Honestly, if you follow Big Ten football, you know the drama never actually stops. It just changes jerseys.
Right now, Julian Sayin is the man in the arena.
He didn't just stumble into the role. He took it. After transferring from Alabama following Nick Saban's retirement, Sayin arrived in Columbus with a "processing speed" that coaches usually only see in 10-year NFL vets. Ryan Day isn't one for hyperbole, but even he couldn't hide the smirk when Sayin started carving up the second-team defense last spring.
Why Julian Sayin Changed Everything
Most fans thought the 2025 season would be a messy transition. Will Howard had just finished a gritty, National Championship-winning run in 2024, leaving a massive void. Then Sayin happened.
He’s not 6'5". He doesn't look like a linebacker. At 6'1" and about 208 pounds, he looks... well, normal. Until he throws. The ball comes out of his hand like it’s being shot out of a railgun.
Basically, Sayin finished the 2025 regular season with a completion percentage of 77%, breaking records previously held by guys like Bo Nix. He didn't just manage the game; he dismantled it. People love to talk about the "system," but watch the Wisconsin tape from last October. 393 yards. Four touchdowns. Zero panic. That wasn't a system. That was a surgeon at work.
The Stats That Actually Matter
It’s easy to look at the 3,610 passing yards and 32 touchdowns from his redshirt freshman campaign and get dizzy. But look closer. Sayin's efficiency in the red zone is what kept Ohio State in the playoff hunt.
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- Completion %: 77.0
- TD-INT Ratio: 32:8
- Big Ten Honors: Freshman of the Year
He’s a "fast processor." That’s the buzzword scouts use. It means he sees the safety rotation before the ball is even snapped. While other quarterbacks are still figuring out the play call, Sayin has already decided where the ball is going.
The Depth Chart Drama Nobody Talks About
While Sayin is the undisputed Ohio State starting quarterback, the room behind him is a revolving door of elite talent and heartbreak.
Remember Air Noland? The five-star southpaw from Georgia? He’s gone. Transferred to South Carolina. It’s the reality of modern college football. You either start, or you've gotta move on. Lincoln Kienholz, the tough-as-nails kid from South Dakota, also hit the portal recently. It’s a cutthroat business.
Now, the focus shifts to Tavien St. Clair.
St. Clair is the hometown hero from Bellefontaine, Ohio. He’s 6'4", 230 pounds, and looks like he was built in a lab to play for the Buckeyes. He enrolled early in 2025 and has been shadowing Sayin like a hawk. If Sayin is the surgeon, St. Clair is the heavy artillery.
The New Face in the Room
In a move that surprised some, Ryan Day just dipped back into the portal to grab Justyn Martin from UCLA. Why? Because you can’t go into a 12-team playoff (or 14-team, depending on the year's madness) with only one healthy scholarship QB you trust. Martin brings veteran stability. He knows he isn't the starter, but he knows how to prepare like one.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Ryan Day’s Offense
There is this persistent myth that Ohio State just wins because they have better athletes.
"Just throw it to Jeremiah Smith," they say.
Sure, having a generational talent like Smith helps. But the Ohio State starting quarterback has a harder job than most people realize. Day’s offense is a hybrid. It uses NFL-style progressions mixed with high-speed RPOs (Run-Pass Options).
If the QB makes the wrong read on a "glance" route, it's an interception. If he doesn't check the protection against a Penn State blitz, he's on his back. Sayin succeeded because he mastered the boring stuff. He spent hours in the film room with Chip Kelly, learning how to manipulate linebackers with his eyes.
The Pressure of the "Game"
You aren't just judged by your stats at Ohio State. You’re judged by one Saturday in late November.
Sayin has already proven he can handle the spotlight. Beating Texas in Week 1 of 2025 was the "hello world" moment. But the expectations for 2026 are even higher. He’s no longer the "young kid with potential." He’s the Heisman finalist who has to deliver a trophy back to Columbus.
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What’s Next for the Buckeyes?
If you're looking at the future of the position, keep your eyes on the 2026 recruiting cycle. Luke Fahey is already making waves, but the battle between Sayin and the rising St. Clair will be the story of the next 18 months.
Kinda crazy, right? You have a guy who might be the first overall pick in a few years, and people are already asking who's next.
That’s just life in Columbus.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Footwork: Next time you see Sayin play, stop looking at the receivers. Watch his feet. He never "clicks" his heels, which is why his release is so fast.
- Monitor the Portal: With Kienholz leaving, watch for one more depth addition before spring ball begins.
- Check the Weather: Sayin is a California kid. His real test isn't in September; it's how he handles the wind and sleet in the Big Ten graveyard games in November.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a defining one for the program. With Julian Sayin under center, the Buckeyes aren't just favorites—they're the standard.