The Ohio State Buckeyes face a daunting 2026 schedule with road tests against the Texas Longhorns, Indiana Hoosiers, and USC Trojans. The expectations in Columbus remain unchanged: beat Michigan, win the Big Ten, and contend for a national championship. With Jeremiah Smith’s third and final season on the horizon, the Buckeyes have the talent to make a run. The question is whether quarterback Julian Sayin can take the next step to get them there.

Ohio State won the national championship in 2024 but took a step back last season, getting bounced in its first College Football Playoff game against Miami. Sayin was strong as a redshirt freshman, completing a record-breaking 77 percent of his passes for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdown passes, and eight interceptions. Those numbers paint the picture of one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country, but the full story is more complicated.

Julian Sayin’s 2025 late season struggles leave questions

As the stakes got higher late in the year against teams like Indiana and Miami, Sayin wasn’t as sharp. He had issues in the pocket, and his inability to extend plays with his legs became a factor. Those are the areas where Sayin needs to grow if the Buckeyes are going to reach the ceiling this roster is capable of hitting.

Heading into 2026, Sayin is hoping to take a step forward in all of those aspects. It is notable that Sayin is now up to 215 pounds on a 6-foot frame after adding weight this offseason. A stronger base and better mobility could go a long way toward fixing the pocket issues that plagued him late last season.

At Big Ten Media Days, Jeremiah Smith said Mickey Marotti had told him Julian Sayin is the toughest guy on the team.

Sayin said it’s pretty cool to hear that, adding that “Jeremiah’s a pretty tough guy, too.” pic.twitter.com/CNn3YhZ2y9

— Dillon Davis (@DillonDavis56) August 8, 2026

What Grok’s AI projection says about Sayin’s 2026 ceiling

An exercise worth looking at is what the AI tool Grok projected for Sayin’s 2026 season. Grok predicts Sayin will throw for 3,950 yards, 39 touchdown passes, and 7 interceptions. The model also projects his completion percentage will dip slightly but remain around 76%, keeping him among the most efficient passers in the country. Grok’s projection also suggests Sayin will have improved zip on his throws, a stronger base, and better mobility after the weight he added this offseason.

Those numbers represent a bump from last season and would put Sayin squarely in the Heisman conversation. He finished fourth in Heisman voting a year ago, and if the Buckeyes take care of business through a tough schedule, Sayin could be the favorite.

Ohio State’s 2026 season is going to be a grind. Road games at Texas, Indiana, and USC are no small task, and the Big Ten gauntlet doesn’t let up. Sayin’s growth as a passer and his development as a more complete quarterback will be one of the biggest storylines heading into the fall. He has a chance to have a special season with the Buckeyes in 2026 and to leave a lasting mark on his legacy in Columbus. Time will tell if he can deliver.