Julian Sayin’s OSU Future Confirmed after National Analyst’s Verdict as Will Howard’s 4-word Message Puts Ryan Day on Notice

Ohio State came fresh off a national championship win but couldn’t escape the inevitable. Before they could get out of the post-victory feel-good cocoon, a host of players started to outflow in the back-to-back portal moves. Not only the portal, but HC Ryan Day also lost his star offensive coordinator Chip Kelly as well as defensive coordinator Jim Knowles to Penn State. Also, the crown jewel, the one-night hero of the Mercedes Benz stadium, Will Howard, bids a formal goodbye to his old school as he reaches the final year of his eligibility. Day was forced to reshuffle the entire roster, and coaching room for another year at Columbus. Well, it poses a slight doubt about OSU’s ability to retain the premium but sets the stage for the youngsters to take the reins. Can Julian Sayin be the next guy for the Buckeyes?

Sayin has already made the talk heading into 2025, as the former five-star recruit is already receiving Heisman Trophy buzz, and that’s after throwing a grand total of 12 passes this past season. Ohio State coach Ryan Day has said that Ohio State will have an open competition for the starting job in camp, but the general consensus is that Julian Sayin will ultimately be taking snaps in the season opener over the other two contenders, Lincoln Kienholz and fellow five-star prospect Tavien St. Clair.

Reflecting on it, national analyst Josh Pate in his Josh Pate College Football Show noted, “I really expect Julian Sayin to be the starting quarterback there. He was on the team last year, so he is not a true freshman; he’d just be a first-year starter. Tavien St. Clair is a monster, man. We watched both of these guys the last two years out in California at Elite 11. St. Clair, if he starts as a true freshman, that would mean he beats out another stud, which means he’s an extreme stud, an ES (a recruiting terminology). Got him classified as an Extreme Stud. So, I am saying Julian Sayin until otherwise noted.”

Sayin transferred to Ohio State after just a couple of weeks in Alabama. Thanks to the sudden jolt of Nick Saban‘s retirement. You don’t even have to look at his numbers if you know how much of a perfectionist Nick Saban is while hand-picking his guys from the portal. His quick release, ability to scan the field flawlessly, ability to get the ball on time, and, most importantly, a calm demeanor made the kid an absolute can’t-miss for defending champions like the Buckeyes. The other guys vying to get under the center of Columbus deserve the praise, too.

St. Clair, last season at Bellefontaine HS, mounted defenses for 2,536 yards and 29 TDs in just 11 games. He has the talent. But as On3’s Pete Carrol says, Sayin’ is still the ‘real deal’. Clair’s true freshman status might be the difference between the two, or it could be some extra pinch of talent of our 19-year-old signal caller, but the bottom line is the same. Sayin’ is catching the hype like no other.

“I trust them at quarterback,” Pate said. “Now, they’re unknown. They’re unproven at quarterback. I think Julian Sayin is going to be a star in college football next year, so I’m high on him.” Obvious fact? not just him. It seems Will Howard himself is passing the baton to his successor with a single-line message.

Will Howard seems excited to see the new Ohio State Buckeyes QBs take charge

Will Howard had a pretty devastating showdown at the NFL Combine at Indianapolis this weekend. One viral video features Howard missing throw after throw to receivers that were going against the air. It was a pain to see the Natty-winning QB in an uncomfortable state in front of the scout. However, given that the NFL is a different ball game. Howard might need some time to find his footing. But, meanwhile, he is rooting for the new Ohio State guy.

”We just had a great vibe in that room, and we had a lot of fun together. And I’m excited for them to kind of take over and be the guys going forward. Because Julian coming in, he’s a little soft-spoken guy, he’s quiet. But now it’s his time, now it’s Lincoln and Tavian and those guys,” Howard said in a recent interview during the combine.

Howard added he would like to know if he could have had any positive effect whether it is through playing technique, work ethics, leadership, or anything else on the newbies, motivating them to take the reins with grace and nail it. The future will fill into his query. For now, all eyes are on Julian Sayin, cementing his ground for a long-lasting legacy at Columbus.