Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin just gave Buckeye Nation exactly what they wanted to hear—and it's about time.
After a solid debut season that saw him lead Ohio State to 14 starts and a Heisman finalist nod, Sayin knows there's room to grow. And the one area fans have been clamoring for improvement? He's already on it.
The Buckeyes came up short in their bid to repeat as national champions last year, dropping their final two games to Indiana and Miami. With a talented roster returning for 2026, much of Ohio State's success will rest on Sayin's shoulders. But the California native isn't shying away from the challenge.
On a recent episode of The Triple Option, Sayin opened up about his offseason focus. "I think there were a ton of things this offseason that I was looking at to get better at, whether it's having cleaner feet in the pocket, [or] having a little better pocket presence," he said. "Then knowing when to extend plays and take off. Third down and nothing's open we gotta go pick it up with our legs and get the first down."
That last part is music to Buckeye fans' ears. Ohio State has historically thrived when its quarterback poses at least a threat to run. While Sayin posted impressive numbers last season—completing 77% of his passes for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions—his rushing stats told a different story. Sack yardage counts against rushing totals in college, leaving Sayin with -44 yards and zero touchdowns on the ground. There were plenty of moments in 2025 where it felt like he should have tucked it and run, but it just didn't happen.
To be clear, nobody expects Sayin to transform into J.T. Barrett, Justin Fields, or even Will Howard as a runner. At 6-foot-1 and with a smaller frame, durability is key for a quarterback who could play 16 or more games. But adding that extra dimension to his game—even just enough to keep defenses honest—could be the difference between a good season and a championship run.
If Sayin's offseason work pays off, Ohio State's 2026 outlook just got a whole lot brighter.