In a season where Ohio State once again flexed its muscle as a national powerhouse, finishing the regular season undefeated at 12-0 before falling short in the postseason, two of the Buckeyes’ youngest stars earned national recognition that speaks volumes about the program’s present - and future. On Wednesday, the Football Writers Association of America unveiled its 25th Anniversary Freshman All-America Team, and both quarterback Julian Sayin and running back Bo Jackson made the cut.
For a school that consistently reloads with top-tier talent, this is more than just a feather in the cap. It's a statement. Sayin and Jackson didn’t just survive their first year in Columbus - they thrived under the weight of expectation and the spotlight of one of college football’s biggest stages.
Let’s start with Sayin, who came into the 2025 season with the kind of hype that can either launch a career or crush it. A former five-star recruit and Alabama flip, Sayin had all eyes on him from the moment he stepped on campus. What followed was one of the most efficient seasons we’ve seen from a freshman quarterback - or any quarterback, for that matter.
Sayin led the nation in completion percentage, connecting on a staggering 78.4% of his passes - a new regular season record. That’s not just accurate; that’s surgical.
Over 14 games, he threw for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. It wasn’t just the numbers, though - it was how he got them.
Sayin played with poise, rarely forcing the issue, yet never shying away from taking shots when they were there.
His mid-season stretch was particularly eye-opening. In three consecutive games, Sayin topped 300 yards passing, threw at least three touchdowns, and didn’t turn the ball over once. His performance against Wisconsin was the crown jewel: 393 yards, four touchdowns, and a national Freshman Player of the Week nod from the Shaun Alexander Award committee.
He’s already been named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year, and he’s a finalist for FWAA Offensive Freshman of the Year. Bottom line: Sayin didn’t just live up to the hype - he might’ve raised the bar for what’s expected from a true freshman quarterback in Columbus.
While Sayin was carving up defenses through the air, Bo Jackson was doing his damage on the ground. A Cleveland native and the top-ranked running back in Ohio, Jackson entered a crowded backfield and still found a way to separate himself. By season’s end, he wasn’t just a contributor - he was the go-to guy.
Jackson rushed for 1,090 yards on 179 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per touch - a mark that speaks to both his vision and his physicality. He became just the fifth freshman in Ohio State history to eclipse 1,000 yards in a season, joining some elite company in the program’s storied backfield lineage.
Despite not starting the year as the lead back, Jackson’s workload grew steadily. He averaged nearly 14 carries per game and added seven total touchdowns (six rushing, one receiving). He also proved to be a reliable outlet in the passing game, catching 19 passes for 200 yards - a valuable safety valve for Sayin when plays broke down.
Jackson’s blend of power and patience made him a nightmare for Big Ten defenses, and his second-team All-Big Ten selection was a clear indicator of how impactful he was as a true freshman.
The 2025 FWAA Freshman All-America Team marks the 25th anniversary of the honor, and Ohio State joins the likes of Tennessee and Georgia as one of the few programs with multiple players selected this year. That’s not just a tip of the cap to recruiting - it’s a nod to development and readiness.
For Buckeye fans, the future is more than just bright - it’s already here. With a record-setting quarterback and a 1,000-yard rusher both returning, Ohio State’s offense isn’t just in good hands. It’s in elite ones.