An Ohio State QB competitor is in the prime focus, heading into a compelling off-season. The name that struck the most is no other than the stupendous kid out of Alabama – Julian Sayin. He didn’t display very smooth skills during the spring though. It was a rocky road for Sayin, as in the initial weeks, he looked a little off balance in the scrimmage. But Greg McElroy sees it differently. ‘If it’s always good all the time, then how do you know how he’s going to respond to adversity?” he asked. Makes sense, right? But there are still a few bumps on the road.
Despite the issues and drawbacks, Sayin ended the spring on a good note. But the man competing against Lincoln Kienholz is equally impressive. While the hype is screaming, Julian Sayin is the potential winner. Dave Biddle of the Cover 3 Podcast broke down the loopholes in Sayin’s spring resume that demand a quick scrutiny. “He missed some throws this spring, including one in the spring game that was an absolute layup. It would have been a touchdown to Mylan Graham, a wide receiver who’s really coming on, so the accuracy wasn’t pinpoint,” Biddle continued, throwing objective pointers like confetti, “but that’s definitely one of his strong suits. He doesn’t have a cannon, but he’s got a strong enough arm.”
Ohio State has a very specific goal to achieve in 2025. They have won the Natty but lost a lot of experienced gems in the portal and draft. So, the standard doesn’t remain the same for obvious reasons. Ryan Day has reloaded the roster and worked toward organizing all the position groups from ground zero. If he can’t make it big against Michigan, it will be another worthless record for the head coach who couldn’t topple the arch-rival ever since he stepped up.
To ace the race, they need their QBs right on the spot, delivering the maximum of their potential to stun the defenders. With Will Howard leaving for the pros, Sayin, the unofficial starter of the Texas season opener, has to produce his best. The 6 ft frame is an edge to his craft, but he needs to bulk up to tap into the unstoppable beast mode. 203 lbs stands too weak to weather the heavy storm on and beyond the field.
“He’s not very big, he definitely needs to add some muscle. He’s listed at 205, he’s probably more like 200 right around there, so how’s he going to hold up physically?” the Cover 3 analyst asked in dismay. “They have Lincoln Kienholz as well, he’s entering his third year, and they have true freshman Tavien St Clair in the quarterback room. So they’re putting a lot on presuming Julian Sayin’s going to be the starting quarterback.” Dave reminded of the intensity of the competition, Sayin had to face off straight before dipping his feet under the center. One rookie mistake can cost him a sure-shot spot in the room.
How did the head coach chew over the most crucial race that would decide the future of his contract? Day keeps delaying a last word, letting doors open for a huge unpredictability.
Ryan Day keeps Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz on the same page
In every sense, Sayin vs Kienholz is a neck-to-neck fight. Julian Sayin was incredible this spring, apart from a few aforementioned hiccups, completing 17 out of 24 passes for 175 yards and a touchdown. Kienholz also matched up the level, racking up 12 of 18 passes for 158 yards with 2 TDs.
When it comes to poker presence, Sayin dominates the field, garnering a slight edge over Kienholz. Tavien, on the other hand, lacks experience, so he’s a clear back burner in the race. But Sayin and Kienholz seem to keep overtaking each other on the road.
“I feel like Julian and Lincoln are ahead of Tavien right now. Tavien’s got a lot of upsides, but just a little bit behind, only having 15 practices. Julian has a year in the system, Lincoln, too. You know, I said it the other day in the press conference,” Ryan Day made his stance known. ” I feel like Lincoln was ahead of Julian going into the spring game, and I thought Julian had a better spring game than Lincoln. So, it’s back and forth.”
No matter how minute it would be to pick any one between Sayin and Kienholz, Day needs to make a call as early as possible, for he can’t afford a late practice for the season opener. Summer will be crucial for the Buckeyes to see their starter guy lace up the shoes and be ready for the warfare after all the successful trials. However, none of the newcomers is Will Howard, who can alone 16 plus games. So, helping each other grow in a mutual, healthy air of cooperation will be ideal for the program for now.
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