Ryan Day says just what Ohio State football fans needed to hear about QB Julian Sayin before the 2026 season
Julian Sayin returns as the starter in 2026 for Ohio State where he needs to take a step. Ryan Day’s comments should make Buckeye Nation feel good about that happening.
The Ohio State Buckeyes are gearing up for the 2026 college football season, and coach Ryan Day offered an encouraging update on starting quarterback Julian Sayin at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday in Chicago. With fall camp set to ramp up next week, Ohio State carries the kind of expectations the program always does, especially with Sayin returning as a second-year starter and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith back for his third and likely final season in Columbus.
Day highlights Sayin’s growth this offseason
Sayin’s first season as Ohio State’s starter was strong until the moments that mattered most. The Buckeyes went 12-0 in his first 12 starts before dropping games against Indiana and Miami in the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff. Sayin didn’t play his best when the lights were brightest, and that left a sour taste heading into the offseason.
Day’s comments Wednesday suggest the quarterback has put in the work to change that narrative.
“When you look in his eye, you see a different person, you see a different body. He’s worked hard, he’s gotten stronger, he’s found his voice even more,” Day said.
The numbers from Sayin’s 2025 campaign were impressive on the surface. He completed 77 percent of his passes, a record mark for the program, while throwing for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. He didn’t turn the ball over often, but he also didn’t use his legs much. Sayin finished with -44 rushing yards when factoring in sack yardage.
Ohio State needs more from Sayin in 2026
That lack of mobility is a key area for growth. Ohio State is going to need Sayin to use his legs more often this season, which is why Day pointing to a stronger frame matters. If the Buckeyes want to accomplish their biggest goals, having a quarterback who can extend plays and pick up yards on the ground will be critical against a gauntlet of a schedule.
Beyond the physical transformation, the Buckeyes need Sayin to be more of a vocal leader who can pull the team together in tough moments. The late-season collapses in 2025 exposed a need for steadiness under pressure, and Day’s comments suggest Sayin has taken steps in that direction.
The early returns are promising, but it all has to play out on the field first. Ohio State has a ton of talent around Sayin, but in football, you’re often only as good as your quarterback. There will be a lot on his shoulders in 2026, and the coming weeks of fall camp will show whether the offseason growth translates when it counts.