Julian Sayin Misses Heisman, But Still Commands the Spotlight
Julian Sayin didn’t leave New York with the Heisman Trophy, but make no mistake-he was still very much in the spotlight.
The Ohio State quarterback arrived at the ceremony as one of four finalists, capping off a breakout season that saw him take over the reins from national champion Will Howard. Big shoes to fill?
Absolutely. But Sayin handled the pressure like a veteran, not a first-year starter.
His numbers speak for themselves: a 78.4% completion rate, 3,323 passing yards, 31 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. That’s not just efficient-that’s elite.
While Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza ultimately took home college football’s most prestigious individual honor, Sayin’s presence in New York was well-earned. And he didn’t sulk after the results. Cameras caught him chatting with Mendoza at the event, showing the kind of composure and class that’s just as important off the field as it is on it.
But as often happens in the social media era, the conversation around Sayin extended beyond the gridiron. While fans were breaking down his Heisman-worthy stat line, others were buzzing about his personal life.
Online chatter linked him to Gabrielle Fowler, a student at Arizona State and a member of the Alpha Phi sorority. The rumors picked up steam during the ceremony, but neither Sayin nor Fowler addressed the speculation publicly.
Sayin, for his part, didn’t let the noise get in the way of his focus. That’s been his M.O. all season-keep the outside distractions at bay and let the play do the talking.
And when he did speak, it was all about the moment and the meaning behind it.
“Growing up, I watched my idols win this award,” Sayin said. “I was a big fan of Oregon in 2014 when Marcus Mariota was there.
I was 10 years old or 9 years old. So that was my team to watch.
And when he ended up winning the Heisman, it was awesome to see. It’s definitely a dream come true to go out there in New York and just be a part of it.”
That kind of perspective is rare in a player this young. But Sayin’s maturity has been on display all year.
He stepped into one of the most high-pressure jobs in college football and didn’t flinch. Even after suffering the first loss of his Buckeye career-last week’s defeat at the hands of Indiana-he faced the media head-on.
“There were definitely so many plays that if we just made, I feel like we would have had the opportunity,” Sayin said. “But we just didn’t execute at the highest level.”
That kind of accountability is what coaches dream of in a quarterback. And it’s exactly why Ohio State fans should feel confident heading into the College Football Playoff. Sayin isn’t just a talented passer-he’s a leader who understands what it takes to win, and what it means to lose.
The spotlight may have shifted away from the Heisman stage, but Sayin’s season is far from over. The rumors might keep swirling, but his eyes are locked on the only thing that matters right now: the next game.
Because for Julian Sayin, football still comes first.