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Ohio State QB Julian Sayin has the perfect update on exactly what Buckeye Nation will want to hear with Texas around the corner

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jul 21, 2025 1:30 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes are no strangers to quarterback competitions under Ryan Day. For the third consecutive season, the Buckeyes are set to decide on a new signal-caller.

After moving on from the one-year stint of Will Howard, Julian Sayin enters fall camp as the favorite to start when Ohio State opens the season against the Texas Longhorns on Aug. 30.

Sayin, a former five-star recruit, is battling junior Lincoln Kienholz for the starting job. He recently spoke about how he’s grown as a quarterback this summer.

“I think I’ve grown in just understanding more about the game — watching tape, being able to match routes with my feet and my drop, and all those things,” Sayin said via Eleven Warriors. “I think spring was a great time because we got so many reps. Just getting on the same page with the receivers and then just improving as an offense, as a unit.”

Sayin and Kienholz were neck and neck throughout the spring, but the California native turned in a far superior spring game, leaving a strong impression heading into the summer.

Last season, Sayin appeared in four games as a true freshman, completing 5-of-12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. The 6-foot quarterback is known for his quick release and strong processing skills, though he’ll need to prove his toughness throughout the season. Learning behind Howard may have been a blessing in disguise for the young signal-caller.

“I think Will [Howard] was such a great leader to learn from,” Sayin said. “He was someone who was able to get the entire team around him — get the entire building to rally around him.”

To be a successful quarterback, leadership is essential — and that’s exactly what Sayin is striving to develop. His time in Columbus appears to be arriving, even if it’s not official just yet.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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