Julian Sayin is starting to look like a quarterback who can do more than just win from the pocket, and Ohio State fans have reason to take that seriously after what he’s shown at fall camp.
The Buckeyes quarterback has clearly added size, enough that he looks dramatically different from the player people saw last season. That change matters because it should make him harder to bring down and more capable of turning broken plays into positive yardage with his legs. It also lines up with what Sayin said back in April after spring practice, when he talked about developing a better sense for when to leave the pocket.
"I think I'm very comfortable with just having that clock in my head, of knowing when the ball needs to get out or nothing's there, you've got to take off," Sayin said. "So I think I'm still improving that, but I think I'm very comfortable in that aspect of having that internal clock in my head and knowing when the clock is breaking down."
That kind of progress could make a real difference for Ohio State. Sayin was already extremely efficient last season, completing 77.0% of his passes and throwing 32 touchdown passes against eight interceptions.
For a Big Ten quarterback in a Ryan Day offense, that’s already a strong NFL-style résumé. If he’s now adding another layer as a runner, the ceiling gets even more interesting.
There’s also a practical reason Ohio State needs that development to show up. The fall camp situation in the backfield has been unstable, with Bo Jackson working with the second team and Legend Bey missing the first few days of practice because of a suspension. Sayin doesn’t need to become the centerpiece of the run game, but he can still ease the pressure on the offense by picking up key yards and extending drives when the pocket breaks down.
Isaiah West may be able to handle RB1 duties, and Florida transfer Ja'Kobi Jackson has also turned some heads. But if the Buckeyes are dealing with uncertainty at running back, Sayin giving them more with his legs could be a major stabilizer. It’s not hard to see why that added mobility, paired with his passing efficiency, has people thinking about him as a serious NFL draft prospect.
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Ohio States 2028 Recruiting Run Might Not Be Done Yet
Ohio States 2028 recruiting class is already shaping up as one of the earliest power statements in the cycle, with three five-star commits headlined by quarterback Christopher Vargas. Even with that kind of early momentum, the Buckeyes have not stopped pushing, and the class still has room to grow if the staff can keep building on the buzz it has created on the trail.
Two of the most intriguing names still watching closely are wide receiver Braylon Clark and defensive lineman Tyzon Swann, both of whom have drawn strong interest from Ohio State while also holding multiple offers from other programs. Their level of attention around the Buckeyes suggests the class could get even more impressive, but for now Ohio State is still in the waiting game as the next decisions loom. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Just Made A Huge Statement About Its QB Future
Ohio State added a major piece to its future on the recruiting trail with the commitment of Christopher Vargas, the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the 2028 class. Vargas picked the Buckeyes over Oregon, Virginia Tech and other schools, a significant win for a program that has long sold itself as one of the sports premier destinations for elite passers.
Vargas pointed to the coaching staff, the culture and the development opportunities under Ryan Day as the biggest factors in his decision, and that makes this more than just another early pledge. Day has built a strong reputation for grooming quarterbacks, with several of his former players going on to become first-round NFL draft picks, and landing a talent like Vargas only reinforces how powerful that pitch has become in Columbus. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Fall Camp Is Heating Up Behind Two Key Starters
Fall camp is starting to sort out a few of Ohio States early depth-chart questions as the Buckeyes turn toward their opener against Ball State. At running back, Isaiah West and Bo Jackson both entered camp after missing spring work because of shoulder injuries, and the early reps have been a good sign that both are back in the mix as the staff evaluates the room.
Wests offseason has given him a real foothold, while Jackson still has time to make up ground before the job is settled. The same kind of competition is playing out at receiver, where Jeremiah Smith looks lined up for the top spot and the battle for No. 2 is taking shape among Brandon Inniss, Chris Henry Jr. and transfer McCuin. [Read more 🡒]