Ohio State has every reason to like what it’s hearing from Julian Sayin this fall.
The Buckeyes quarterback said he’s enjoying Arthur Smith’s offense, and that matters because the new system is asking plenty of him. Sayin also made clear that the offseason work with Buckeyes Associate Athletic Director for Football Sports Performance Mickey Marotti paid off, with added size showing up in the way he throws and runs.
“Yeah, it's been a lot of fun working with (Arthur Smith)," Sayin said. "Obviously, he's someone who is an extremely bright offensive mind.
And when you have someone that has an NFL background like that and has coached at the highest level - he's been an NFL head coach - it's really awesome for our development as players. We want to play at the next level, so it's really cool to have him in our corner.
"And it was very helpful in the offseason, (head strength coach Mickey Marotti) pushed me pretty hard. And I think the extra weight has helped me in throwing the ball and running the ball."
That combination is exactly what Ohio State wants heading into the fall. Sayin likes the offense, and the offense appears to suit a quarterback who has added bulk and can better handle the physical side of the position. For a team trying to get the most out of its next-level talent, that’s a promising place to start.
Smith’s scheme is built to make life difficult on defenses by blurring the line between run and pass, and Sayin’s ability to threaten both could make the Buckeyes harder to read. That versatility matters even more because Sayin already has a lot of tape out there for opposing coaches to study. If he can present a different look, there’s less for early opponents such as Texas to lean on.
Sayin’s development also gives Ohio State a stabilizing piece in year three, with every season so far coming in a Scarlet and Gray uniform. He’s part of a returning offensive line group that should help with continuity, and while Carnell Tate is gone, his connection with Jeremiah Smith stands out as a major factor in how high this offense can climb.
There’s also a real workload waiting around him. The running back room has not settled cleanly, with Isaiah West appearing to be the only back on track, Bo Jackson not taking reps with the first team, and Legend Bey getting in constant trouble. That puts even more on Sayin’s shoulders.
So the task in front of him is clear: lead, keep developing, and keep making the offense harder to defend. Based on how he’s talking about the system - and how he’s looking physically - Ohio State has a quarterback who seems to be in the right place at the right time.
In Other News...
Ohio State Just Turned Christopher Vargas Into A Huge Recruiting Statement
Back in November 2024, when Ohio State was in a rough spot, the Buckeyes still made a move on Christopher Vargas, the 5-star quarterback from St. Johns Prep. It was the kind of early pitch programs make when they believe the long view matters more than the moment, and Ohio State kept working even before its trajectory had fully reset.
Over the next 20 months, the appeal got a lot easier to sell. Ohio State stacked up the kind of success recruits notice, from a national championship in January 2025 to finally getting past Michigan, and that backdrop appears to have mattered as Vargas weighed multiple offers. For the Buckeyes, this became about more than landing a quarterback. It was proof that their recent run and their culture could still swing a major recruiting battle. [Read more 🡒]
Arthur Smith Just Sent Ohio State's Offense A Clear Challenge
Arthur Smiths arrival gives Ohio State a fresh voice on offense, but his message sounded more like a reminder than a reinvention. Ryan Day brought in the former NFL head coach and offensive coordinator to run the unit, and Smith quickly centered his comments on two old-school requirements that still decide November games: offensive line play and discipline. For a program that returns several veteran pieces on offense, the setup is less about learning who it is than proving it can stay sharp enough to match a championship standard.
The challenge is straightforward enough and hard enough at the same time. Ohio States schedule will not leave much room for sloppy possessions, and Smiths emphasis on minimizing errors suggests the Buckeyes are being asked to play a cleaner brand of football from the start. With experienced talent in place, the question now is whether the offense can turn that depth into consistency when the margins get thin. [Read more 🡒]
Arthur Smith Brings A New Standard To Ohio States Offense
Ohio State turned to a familiar NFL name this offseason, bringing in Arthur Smith as its new offensive coordinator after Brian Hartlines departure. Smith arrives with experience running offenses for the Titans, Falcons and Steelers, and his rsum gives the Buckeyes a different kind of perspective as they try to keep pace with the sports biggest programs.
The move also reflects a clear desire to sharpen an offense that hit rough patches against top competition last season. For a program built on championship expectations, Smiths arrival is about more than just a new voice in the room - it is about establishing a higher standard for how Ohio State wants to line up and finish when the stakes get biggest. [Read more 🡒]