On Ohio State’s roster, No. 10 and No. 4 have taken on a meaning all their own.
Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are back for a second season together, and it’s shaping up to be their final run as college football’s most explosive quarterback-receiver pairing. Sayin, wearing No. 10, and Smith, wearing No. 4, give the Buckeyes a built-in shorthand that fits the numbers on their jerseys and the production they’re expected to bring.
Smith said Sayin has grown into more of a vocal presence this offseason, especially when the offense is trying to get organized.
“Julian is doing a great job, using his voice more, taking control of that offense,” Smith said. “In the huddle, (when) guys (are) talking, he’s telling everyone to shut up, saying all type of stuff.”
That kind of command is a shift from last season, when Sayin’s performance did plenty of the talking. He threw 32 touchdown passes and finished with a spot on the Heisman Trophy stage. This year, the attention is just as much on how he leads as on what he does with the football.
“Julian’s been strong, and those guys in the room have a chance to look at what it means to be a leader,” OSU coach Ryan Day said.
Sayin says the chemistry with Smith is already in a good place, even if he sees room for it to keep building.
“Me and Jeremiah have always had a lot of chemistry,” Sayin said. “I think we’re at a good chemistry right now, and it’s only going to grow throughout the season.”
Smith, for his part, says he can see the added confidence in his quarterback.
“You see that swagger coming out of him," Smith said. "I’m happy for Julian. He’s taken that step for sure.”
With the national championship game set for Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Ohio State will be counting on its “10-4” combination to help get there.
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