Julian Sayin Set the Bar Sky-High in 2025 - Can He Clear It Again in 2026?
Julian Sayin’s first year as Ohio State’s starting quarterback wasn’t just good - it was elite. The Alabama transfer stepped into one of the most pressure-packed jobs in college football and delivered a season for the record books. Completing 77% of his 391 passes for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns with just eight interceptions, Sayin led the Buckeyes to an undefeated regular season, a Big Ten Championship Game appearance, and the No. 1 ranking in the country.
He didn’t just play well - he played like a veteran with ice in his veins. Sayin was a Heisman Trophy finalist, and while he didn’t take home the hardware, some of his numbers outpaced the eventual winner, Fernando Mendoza. He did, however, earn Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and the national Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, along with second-team All-Big Ten recognition.
So where do you go after a debut season like that? That’s the challenge facing Sayin heading into 2026.
He’s already proven he’s the real deal. But with a tougher schedule, a new offensive coordinator, and some key pieces missing from last year’s squad, matching - let alone surpassing - that level of production won’t be easy.
Still, that doesn’t mean he won’t be just as impactful.
A Tougher Road Ahead
Let’s start with the schedule. In 2025, Ohio State caught a few breaks.
The Buckeyes avoided Oregon, USC, and Indiana in the regular season - three teams that could have complicated their path to the Big Ten title game. Their toughest matchups?
A home game against Texas and road trips to Washington, Illinois, and Michigan. Penn State looked like a contender early, but by the time they faced Ohio State in Columbus, they had already been exposed in an overtime loss to Oregon.
That kind of scheduling luck isn’t likely to repeat in 2026.
This fall, the Buckeyes are heading to Austin to face Texas in Week 2 - a much different challenge than hosting them in Columbus. Then there’s a trip to Iowa in early October, and if you know anything about Kinnick Stadium, you know that’s never a walk in the park.
After that, it’s back-to-back road games against Indiana and USC, separated only by a bye week. And just when you think the gauntlet might ease up, Oregon comes to town.
The Ducks are expected to be in the thick of the national title race again.
The regular season wraps with a trip to Nebraska and, of course, The Game against Michigan in Columbus.
Penn State drops off the schedule, but make no mistake - this is one of the toughest slates Ryan Day has faced during his tenure. Even with Sayin at the helm, expecting another undefeated run is a big ask.
Another Year, Another Rebuild
Ohio State’s 2025 success wasn’t just about Sayin - it was about how the entire program reloaded after a mass exodus of talent from the 2024 national championship team. The Buckeyes lost what amounted to an NFL Draft class worth of starters, and yet still found a way to dominate.
Players like Arvell Reese, Kayden McDonald, Phillip Daniels, Caden Curry, and Kenyatta Jackson stepped up, and the defense didn’t just hold the line - it elevated. That’s no small feat, especially with a new defensive coordinator calling the shots.
Now, the challenge is doing it all over again.
The Buckeyes are once again dealing with heavy losses to the NFL and the transfer portal. There’s still plenty of talent on the roster - there always is in Columbus - but integrating new faces and maintaining that same level of execution is a tall order. Day brought in some key transfers, but they’ll need to gel quickly.
The defense could still be excellent, but expecting a repeat of 2025’s dominance might be a stretch. If the unit takes even a small step back, the offense will have to carry more of the load - and that’s where Sayin’s evolution becomes even more critical.
A New Look on Offense
One of the biggest changes in 2026? The arrival of Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator.
Known for his run-heavy, tight-end-friendly schemes, Smith is expected to bring a more ball-control style to the Buckeyes’ attack. That doesn’t mean Ohio State will stop taking shots downfield - Day still has that aggressive streak - but the offense could lean more on sustained drives and physicality.
That shift could impact Sayin’s stat line. More tight ends on the field means fewer wide receivers, and with Carnell Tate off to the NFL, the passing game loses one of its most reliable targets. Jeremiah Smith is back and should be a focal point - potentially even more dominant than he was last year - but who takes the pressure off him?
Brandon Inniss returns in the slot, but the outside receiver spot opposite Smith is up for grabs. Freshman phenom Chris Henry Jr. might see the field early, but whether he starts or rotates in is still unclear. Transfers Kyle Parker (LSU) and Devin McCuin (UTSA) will compete for reps, but there’s no guarantee any of them can replicate Tate’s ability to force defenses to stay honest.
That means Sayin may have to work a little harder for his production in 2026. His completion percentage could dip slightly, and his yardage totals might come down as well - not because he’s regressing, but because the offense is evolving.
The Ground Game and Tight Ends Take Center Stage
Bo Jackson is back in the backfield and should be even more dangerous with another offseason of development. He’ll be joined by Isaiah West and Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson in what could be a deep, versatile running back room. Expect Smith to get creative with personnel groupings, including more two-tight-end sets and a heavier dose of play action.
That shift could help Sayin in other ways. With defenses having to respect the run more, play-action opportunities could open up big plays downfield - especially for a quarterback as accurate and poised as Sayin. The tight end room is solid, and we could see them become more involved in the passing game than in recent years.
The key for Sayin will be adapting to Smith’s system without losing the edge that made him so effective in 2025. He may not be asked to put up gaudy numbers every week, but he’ll need to be efficient, smart, and timely with his throws - more Will Howard than Caleb Williams, but with a higher ceiling and better tools.
What Does Success Look Like in 2026?
Let’s be clear: Sayin doesn’t need to match his 2025 numbers for 2026 to be a success. A season with 70% completions, 3,300 yards, and 28 touchdowns would still put him among the best quarterbacks in the country - especially if he’s doing it against one of the toughest schedules in the sport.
He could very well be back in the Heisman conversation, especially if Ohio State makes another run at the College Football Playoff. But even if the numbers take a slight dip, the big picture matters more. If Sayin can steer the offense through a grueling schedule, adapt to a new coordinator, and lead with the same poise he showed as a freshman, he’ll have done his job - and then some.
The bar is high. But so is the belief in Julian Sayin.