Ohio State QB Julian Sayin Causes a Stir Before Heisman Trophy Ceremony

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Dec 13, 2025 1:54 AM ET

The Heisman Trophy ceremony is set for this Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The annual award goes to the best player in college football, and the finalists for this year's ceremony are Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, and Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.

Pavia and Mendoza held their pre-ceremony press conferences on Friday night, with many reporters around them asking questions. The same couldn't be said for Sayin, who had only one reporter at his table.

Julian Sayin is gonna remember this moment.

(I will too) pic.twitter.com/GCSsn4PB4T
— Blake T. Biscardi (@BlakeBiscardi) December 13, 2025

Sayin has a legit chance to win this award after helping Ohio State go 12-0 during the regular season before losing to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game. In 13 games, Sayin has thrown for 3,323 yards through the air, 31 touchdowns, and only six interceptions.

It's his first full season as a starter after Will Howard helped the Buckeyes win the national title last season. Sayin is trying to help the Buckeyes go back-to-back this year.

The Buckeyes have a bye to the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff after being named the No. 2 overall seed behind the Indiana Hoosiers. They'll play in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Dec. 31 against the winner of the Miami Hurricanes-Texas A&M Aggies, which is set to be played in College Station on Dec. 20.

Before all of that occurs, we'll have to see who takes home this year's Heisman Trophy after former Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter won the award last year.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: