Ohio State Buckeyes may have finally found an option to be their quarterback of the future that they’ve been waiting on
For all the success that Ohio State football has enjoyed over the last decade—from Big Ten titles to College Football Playoff runs and an assembly line of NFL talent—one question has loomed larger in Columbus than perhaps any other: Who’s next at quarterback?
After a dazzling run that included J.T. Barrett, Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, and C.J. Stroud, the Buckeyes entered recent seasons navigating a more uncertain quarterback landscape. While names like Kyle McCord and Devin Brown flashed talent, consistency and long-term promise remained elusive.
Now, after months of speculation, competition, and cautious optimism, it appears that Ohio State may have finally found the quarterback of the future—and his name is Julian Sayin.
Sayin, a former 5-star recruit and early enrollee who transferred to Ohio State after a brief stint at Alabama, has quickly generated buzz inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. His intelligence, poise, and precision have impressed coaches, teammates, and insiders alike. Though the Buckeyes have not publicly named a starter for the upcoming season, signs increasingly point to Sayin seizing control of the offense—and the future.
“He’s just different,” one OSU offensive assistant said. “The way he sees the field, the way he handles pressure. He’s not wide-eyed. He’s surgical.”
Sayin’s journey to Columbus was anything but conventional. The California native originally committed to Alabama and enrolled early in Tuscaloosa, where he quickly showed flashes of his elite arm talent and maturity. But after Nick Saban’s unexpected retirement and the subsequent coaching turnover, Sayin re-entered the portal, looking for the right fit.
That fit, it turns out, was in Columbus.
“I needed stability,” Sayin said in a rare media appearance. “I wanted a place with elite coaching, proven quarterback development, and a room that would challenge me. Ohio State checked every box.”
Head coach Ryan Day, long known as one of the sport’s premier quarterback developers, didn’t hesitate to welcome Sayin into the fold. While he made no promises about playing time, Day offered Sayin a clear vision for how he could grow in the Buckeye system and compete at the highest level.
So far, the results speak for themselves.
During spring practices, Sayin displayed uncanny accuracy in intermediate routes, command at the line of scrimmage, and surprising leadership for a player with limited collegiate reps. In closed scrimmages, he reportedly connected on multiple deep throws while maintaining excellent decision-making and composure under pressure. His chemistry with top targets like Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith has grown weekly.
Perhaps most importantly, Sayin hasn’t tried to do too much.
“He plays within the system,” said wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. “But he knows when to take shots. That balance—aggression with control—is rare for someone his age.”
The Buckeye quarterback room remains deep, with experienced options like Devin Brown still in the mix. However, multiple team sources suggest the competition has tilted strongly toward Sayin, with coaches eager to ride his upside and build a long-term identity around his skillset.
Sayin’s rise has also energized a fan base eager for the next iconic signal-caller. After watching rivals like Michigan finally overcome Ohio State with physical, disciplined quarterback play, many in Buckeye Nation believe that Sayin represents not only a return to dominance but a chance to redefine it.
“He brings a quiet confidence,” said OSU alum and former QB Craig Krenzel. “He doesn’t bark or showboat. He just executes. That’s what wins in January.”
For Sayin, the attention is flattering—but not distracting. His focus remains on mastering the playbook, building trust with teammates, and elevating the program one snap at a time.
“Nothing’s given,” he said. “Every day, I’m competing. Every rep matters. I want to earn everything here.”
That mindset resonates deeply with Day, who has emphasized accountability and detail this offseason as Ohio State looks to reclaim its position atop the Big Ten. With marquee matchups looming—against Oregon, Penn State, and, of course, Michigan—the quarterback position will be under the microscope from Week 1.
Sayin, for his part, is embracing the pressure.
“This is what you sign up for at Ohio State,” he said. “Big games. Big expectations. That’s the standard.”
Off the field, Sayin is already building a presence in Columbus. He’s been active in community events, made appearances with the OSU NIL collective, and become a mentor to younger recruits and campers during summer sessions. His professionalism and polish have drawn comparisons to previous Buckeye greats—even from former pros.
“He reminds me a little of Stroud,” said former OSU quarterback Troy Smith. “Not just in the way he throws, but in how he carries himself. It’s early, but he’s got ‘it.’”
That “it” factor may be what finally allows Ohio State to settle into a new era of quarterback play—not as a revolving door of talent, but with stability, continuity, and leadership under center.
The Buckeyes’ offense is loaded with weapons: TreVeyon Henderson returns as a top-tier running back, the wide receiver room is stacked, and the offensive line has both experience and athleticism. What the unit needed was a conductor—someone to elevate, distribute, and make the right decisions under pressure.
If early signs are any indication, Julian Sayin might be that guy.
Of course, the road ahead won’t be easy. Ohio State’s margin for error is razor-thin, and the pressure to beat Michigan and win a national title is immense. But for the first time in a while, there’s a feeling—both inside and outside the program—that the quarterback question has an answer.
Not just for 2025.
But for the future.
