After winning the quarterback competition, Julian Sayin has completely changed the outlook for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He has guided the team to a flawless 8-0 record this season, clinching the No. 1 spot in the first College Football Playoff ranking, which was released on Tuesday.
As a result of his commanding performances, Sayin has jumped to the top of the 2025 Heisman Trophy race. He is now the odds-on favorite to win the prestigious award, ahead of Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza and Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson.
What Does Ryan Day Believe Is Next for Julian Sayin?
This season, Sayin has been exceptional for the Buckeyes, registering 2,188 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. During his weekly news conference ahead of Ohio State’s clash against the Purdue Boilermakers, coach Ryan Day offered a chilling prediction about his quarterback’s future.
“He’s just getting started, which is very exciting for all of us, as you know,” Day said. “I mean, if you’re an offensive player right now, I mean, to know that Julian’s back there with the ball coming out of his hands quickly and the confidence and decision making, like it’s obviously exciting to be around that.”
Day continued, highlighting the impact on the team’s future. “Not only for right now, but into the future. The ball comes out quick and the accuracy is on point.”
Currently, Sayin leads all FBS quarterbacks in pass completion percentage at 80.7%. If that rate holds, it would eclipse the previous record of 77.5% set by former Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix in 2023.
Who Does Sayin Credit for the Offense’s Success?
While Sayin’s performance has been a major story, the quarterback has leaned heavily on talented wide receivers Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate to power Ohio State’s pass-heavy offense. During Monday’s segment of the “Downs 2 Business” podcast, Sayin was quick to praise his receivers for their contributions.
“I think Jeremiah’s just a really good, physical receiver,” Sayin said. “He’s big, strong and he’s fast. He runs really good routes, you gotta be able to put the ball anywhere for him. He’s got a really big target so you know when he gets one-on-one, he’s really good at the back shoulder fade and high-pointing the ball.”
He also spoke about his other top target. “Then C.T., he runs really good routes. Super smart player. He knows the ins and outs of the zone and he does a great job for us in the run game. We bring him and he goes out and digs out the safety. I think they both do a good job in all their aspects.”
The production from both players has been a key factor in the team’s success. Smith has tallied 725 yards and nine touchdowns on 55 receptions, while Tate has registered 711 yards and seven touchdowns on 39 receptions, making the Buckeyes’ offense one of the most lethal in college football.
