Ryan Day Believes Julian Sayin is College Football's Best Returning Quarterback, Expects "Huge Offseason" from Ohio State QB
The Future is Bright for Ohio State's Julian Sayin
Ryan Day, the head coach of Ohio State, is confident that Julian Sayin will lead the Buckeyes to a national championship in 2026. But here's where it gets controversial... Sayin's performance in the postseason raised some questions about his ability to make plays with his legs and the plays he missed, particularly over the middle of the field. Despite this, Day remains steadfast in his belief in Sayin's potential.
Sayin's 2025 performance ranks among the best in the FBS, with a completion percentage of 77.0, the best passer rating (177.5), and the third-most touchdown passes among quarterbacks still playing college football. And this is the part most people miss... Sayin is the only Heisman Trophy finalist from last year still playing college football, which gives Day good reason to believe the best is yet to come for the redshirt sophomore in 2026.
However, Day acknowledges that Sayin still has areas to improve, particularly in terms of execution and putting up more points. And this is where the real debate begins... Some may argue that Sayin's growing pains were more evident in the biggest games of the year, while others may point to his limited experience as a true freshman in 2024. But Day expects Sayin to learn from his mistakes and come back stronger next year.
One month into the offseason, Day's confidence in Sayin's development has only grown. Sayin is committed to working hard and ensuring that he has the right support around him to reach their goals. So, the question remains: Will Sayin be able to live up to Day's expectations and lead Ohio State to a national championship in 2026? The answer lies in the upcoming "huge offseason" that Sayin is expected to have.
