10
Loading video...
By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin had one heck of a debut season as a starter.
The sophomore signal-caller threw for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while leading the Buckeyes to a 12-2 record, the Big Ten Championship Game, and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
He also finished fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy.
Read More on NCAA
“To think he wins the rivalry game [against Michigan], goes 12-0 during the regular season, gets to New York City — that's a hell of a first year,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day told ESPN.
Sayin set a high bar for himself, but many feel like he’s capable of surpassing that in 2026.
However, one anonymous Big Ten defensive coordinator doesn’t seem as sold on him as others are, and he seemingly believes he knows the one hole in Sayin’s game.
...
“He's not a very big guy, I do like the way he manages the game and throws it,” the Big Ten defensive coordinator told ESPN. “The way they use him, he's been pretty unwilling to run. He's a good athlete, but you want to try to get him out where he doesn't want to be.”
To that point, Sayin had -44 yards rushing last season, according to ESPN, though a lot of that negative yardage was because of the 16 sacks he took. Sayin’s longest run of the 2025 season was just 12 yards.
Because he doesn’t look comfortable running, the teams that had success against Ohio State last season flushed Sayin out of the pocket with consistent pressure off the edge. Because he doesn’t roll out or try to use his feet to make plays, if the pocket starts crumbling, it’s that much easier to knock Sayin off his game.
But despite that one criticism, Sayin is the current preseason favorite for the Heisman Trophy.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines