Julian Sayin edged out Lincoln Keinholz in the Ohio State quarterback competition.
Ohio State football has a new starting quarterback as it looks to repeat as national champions in 2025.
Redshirt freshman Julian Sayin, who was announced as Ohio State’s starter two weeks before the season opener, will have among the best weapons in college football, however, as the Buckeyes return All-American Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, with James Peoples projected to start at running back.
Ohio State opens its season against No. 1 Texas at home, giving Sayin quite the test for his first career start.
Who is Ohio State’s quarterback?
Ohio State will start Sayin, a redshirt freshman, in Week 1 against Texas, coach Ryan Day announced on Aug. 18.
Sayin, a former five-star recruit, was one of Will Howard’s backups last season alongside Devin Brown, and saw limited action as a true freshman. He transferred from Alabama in the spring prior to his freshman season after former Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban announced his retirement.
Sayin is known for his pocket presence and arm talent, which were both lauded by Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who was asked about Sayin being named Ohio State’s starter.
“Ton of respect for Julian,” Sarkisian said of Sayin on Aug. 18. “… Very good player. Elite passer. Very good arm talent. Very quick release. Really accurate guy. Obviously, he’s got great weapons around him. He’s the type of guy that can utilize those weapons in a good system. So it poses a heck of a challenge.”
Sayin completed 5 of 12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown last season in a reserve role.
Julian Sayin 247 ranking
- Star rating: 5 stars
- National ranking: No. 6 overall
- Positional ranking: No. 1 QB
- State ranking: No. 1 player from California
Sayin brings quite the pedigree to the Buckeyes, as he was the No. 1-ranked quarterback and No. 6 overall player nationally in the 2023 recruiting class, per 247Sports’ Composite rankings. He was also named MVP of the Elite 11 finals, which invites the best high school senior quarterbacks nationally each summer.
