National Analyst Confirms Stance on Julian Sayin’s OSU Future as Ryan Day’s QB Dilemma Eases in Latest Intel

Let’s keep it real — winning a natty is hard. Winning back-to-back? That’s some dynasty-level business. And Ohio State? Yeah, they finally got that decade-long monkey off their back, hoisting the trophy in 2024. But in Columbus, satisfaction is temporary. The expectations for 2025? Straight-up diabolical. Will Howard’s off to the NFL, leaving the keys to Julian Sayin. The kid’s got hype, got accuracy, got all the measurables — but has barely seen the field. Betting on potential at a place like OSU? That’s like putting your life savings on a rookie at the roulette table. And the question is, can he be that guy, aka Himothy?

Well, national analyst J.D. PicKell hopped on On3 and laid it out: Ohio State can absolutely run it back — if Sayin can channel his inner Stetson Bennett. “Georgia repeated because Stetson Bennett became an absolute dawg — no pun intended,” Pickell said on March 4. “Like, he elevated his game, he elevated the entire offense. This is where the question arises: can that be Julian Sayin?” Fair question. Bennett went from game manager to certified playmaker in 2022, torching defenses for 4,127 yards, 27 TDs, and a 68% completion rate. He even sniffed the Heisman ceremony. Now, Sayin? He’s got the tools, but he hasn’t played a legit college snap yet. That’s a massive ‘if’. Comparing him to Bennett is ambitious, but not crazy.

J.D. PicKell doubled down, saying, “Jeremiah Smith having his say on any given Saturday is going to, I think, be something you want to see happen if you’re a Buckeye fan. And Julian Sayin bringing what he brings to the table — a guy who was the most accurate quarterback in his cycle out of high school.” Those are facts. Sayin’s accuracy was surgical in high school — 72% completion, Elite 11 MVP, and a TD-to-INT ratio that looked like he was playing in rookie mode. But college ball is a whole new different ball game. The kid was originally bound for Alabama, handpicked by Nick Saban himself, before transferring to OSU in January 2024. That alone tells you he’s got next-level talent.

At Carlsbad High School, Sayin wasn’t just efficient — he was cold-blooded. Across 38 games, he stacked up 7,970 passing yards, 86 TDs, and just 10 picks. Senior year? Dude was throwing darts, hitting 74.5% of his passes for 2,347 yards and 24 TDs while barely making mistakes (one pick all season). He wasn’t just a statue in the pocket either, adding 605 rushing yards and nine TDs on the ground over his high school career. The kid can move and throw the pigskin on the run. And when you consider he was the most accurate QB in his class, it’s no shock that he was Saban-approved. That’s not just potential — that’s pedigree.

But let’s be real: OSU fans ain’t trying to hear about high school stats. They need to know if Sayin can cook at the college level. The good news? The latest intel says Ryan Day’s QB dilemma might not be a dilemma at all.

The latest tea on Julian Sayin which calmed Ryan Day’s QB dilemma

Ohio State’s QB search just got a little less complicated. With Will Howard heading to the NFL, the Buckeyes need a new leader under center, and it’s shaping up to be Julian Sayin’s job to lose. He’ll have to fend off 5-star early enrollee Tavien St. Clair and returnee Lincoln Kienholz, but the buzz around Sayin is heating up.

On3’s Pete Nakos reported that one source inside the program straight-up called Sayin “the real deal” after watching his arm strength up close. Another source added that he has “continued to impress the [Ohio State] staff.” That’s exactly what Buckeye Nation needed to hear. The man barely played in 2024, but behind the scenes, he’s been turning heads. And when Will Howard, the guy who just led OSU to a natty, says Sayin is “one of the most accurate quarterbacks I’ve been around,” you got to take that seriously.

But let’s not act like the job is already his. St. Clair is a legit talent, rated as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 7 overall recruit in the 2025 class. Kienholz is still in the mix, too. Spring practices start on March 17, and all eyes will be locked on that QB battle. Sayin’s got the edge as QB1 for now. But he’s gotta show he can handle the heat when the bullets are live.

Ohio State ain’t just chasing another good season. They’re trying to run it back. And if Julian Sayin is the guy to keep that train rolling. We’re about to find out real quick when they face Longhorns and Arch Manning on August 30 in the season opener. Same goes for Arch Manning.