Arthur Smith’s arrival at Ohio State is already changing how Julian Sayin will operate the offense.
Ryan Day’s decision to bring in the former NFL coach to replace Brian Hartline at offensive coordinator had plenty of people buzzing when it was announced, and the move is starting to show its fingerprints on the Buckeyes’ quarterback room. Sayin said on The Bill and Doug Show that he’ll have more control at the line of scrimmage this season, including the ability to check into different plays when he sees fit.
That kind of freedom is a big deal for any quarterback, and it gives Ohio State a more NFL-style layer under Smith. According to the report shared from the show, Sayin will have multiple plays available to check into at the line this year.
The timing matters, too, because Sayin’s name hasn’t been getting nearly the same offseason attention as some of the other quarterbacks drawing buzz. CJ Carr, Dante Moore, and Darian Mensah have dominated plenty of the conversation, but Sayin was a Heisman finalist last season. He was also the only Heisman finalist not in the NFL this year, aside from Diego Pavia, who just got cut by the Baltimore Ravens.
Smith brings a strong NFL background to Columbus. He built his reputation as the offensive coordinator of the Titans, which eventually helped land him the Falcons’ head coaching job. That stint didn’t unfold the way anyone expected, but he also handled the Steelers’ offense in 2024-25 before making the move to Ohio State.
The Buckeyes have already seen what a former NFL coach can do in this setup. Some Ohio State fans were loud about Ryan Day hiring Matt Patricia to replace Jim Knowles after Knowles left for Penn State, but the defense thrived under Patricia. Smith now steps into a similar role, with a quarterback who has already proven he can produce at a high level.
Sayin threw for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns against eight interceptions last fall, and the numbers only reinforce how much upside Ohio State has here. He enters 2026 as a legitimate Heisman contender, and the added freedom at the line could help him sharpen his reads, boost his draft stock, and give the Buckeyes another dangerous layer as they chase a return to the CFP and another national title.
There has also been some outside chatter this offseason from coaches and players beyond Columbus suggesting Sayin doesn’t play with enough heart. That criticism is out there, but Ohio State is clearly betting on him to answer it on the field this season.
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Matt Patricia Immediately Changed The Standard For Ohio State's Defense
When Matt Patricia arrived as Ohio States defensive coordinator last year, he wasted little time changing the standard in the room. His first challenge to the Buckeyes was as much about accountability as scheme, pushing players to evaluate themselves and each other and setting a tone that made every rep feel like it mattered. For a defense full of high-end talent, it was a blunt reminder that production alone would not be enough.
Caleb Downs said that approach helped him grow into a more complete player, one who was asked to handle multiple safety responsibilities and think like a pro. The experience gave him a taste of NFL-level demands while he was still in Columbus, and it is part of why Patricias impact has resonated beyond one season. The bigger question now is how much of that standard Ohio State can keep carrying forward without the player who benefited most from it. [Read more 🡒]
Arthur Smith May Finally Force Ohio State To Use Every Weapon
Arthur Smiths first offseason as Ohio States play-caller has the Buckeyes talking about more than just who gets the ball. The bigger shift could be how the offense operates, with Smith describing a plan that can speed up when the moment calls for it and slow down when it needs to, a change that should open more chances for skill players all over the field. For a roster built on depth and speed, that kind of flexibility could make the offense harder to defend and easier to spread around.
It also puts a spotlight on Julian Sayin, who may need to become more comfortable using his feet if the Buckeyes are going to take full advantage of a quicker pace. A faster, more varied attack would help the running back room and keep more receivers involved, not just the biggest names, which is why Bucknuts Dave Biddle sees this as the kind of adjustment that could finally push Ohio State toward using every weapon it has. [Read more 🡒]
Former Buckeye CJ Stroud Suddenly Faces Real Pressure In Houston
CJ Stroud arrived in Houston with the kind of buzz that usually buys a young quarterback some patience, and for a while he looked like the Texans had found exactly what they needed. He has already helped steer them to the playoffs three times in his first three seasons, with three postseason wins to show for it, but the ceiling has not moved much beyond that. The production has trended the wrong way, injuries have been part of the picture, and the former Buckeye is now heading into his fourth season with Houston still waiting on a contract extension.
That combination is why Stroud is suddenly being talked about in a different way than he was when he first took over. He is no longer just the franchise centerpiece and one of the leagues rising names, but a quarterback under real pressure to prove the trajectory can still turn upward. For a player who entered the NFL with so much momentum, the next step matters as much as anything he has already done. [Read more 🡒]