Buckeye Nation is going to want to hear the strong statement one Ohio State starter has made about Julian Sayin’s growth
Julian Sayin and the Ohio State Buckeyes have a big year ahead with a tough schedule. The one area Ohio State fans want to see Sayin take a step just got a key update.
The Ohio State Buckeyes face a brutal 2026 schedule with road games against the Texas Longhorns, Indiana Hoosiers, and USC Trojans. Even a trip to Iowa qualifies as a sneaky tough matchup. For Ohio State to navigate that gauntlet, quarterback Julian Sayin needs to take a real step forward, and early signs from inside the program suggest he’s doing exactly that.
Ohio State’s soft 2025 schedule won’t repeat itself
The Buckeyes are going to need a strong leader to push the team in tight moments on the field this season. It’s an area where Sayin will be expected to take a step in his second season as a starter, and early returns suggest he’s up for the challenge.
“When you got a dude like Jules, hes Cali-cool, when he gets fired up, it gets everyone fired up,” Ohio State C Carson Hinzman said via The Bobby Carpenter Show. “It’s cool to start seeing that come out of him a little bit and be the leader that he can be because obviously he’s earned it. He’s played phenomenal and for him to come out this season like that and have that confidence, I think is going to be really important.”
Ohio State had a soft schedule last season. There’s no other way to put it. The Buckeyes went 12-0 in the regular season and weren’t truly tested outside of a 14-7 win over Texas in Week 1. Ohio State then lost its final two games of the year in the Big Ten Championship against Indiana and against Miami in the College Football Playoff.
It was the first year for Sayin as the starting quarterback. The 6-foot-1 redshirt freshman was stellar for the Buckeyes all season until the lights got the brightest. His play fluttered a bit along with the entire offense when Ohio State needed it most. Sayin was a Heisman finalist with 32 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions while completing 77 percent of his passes. There was still meat left on the bone in the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff, though. There were plays to be made and Sayin and the offense simply didn’t make them.
Sayin’s growth as a leader could be the difference
Still, Sayin was impressive for what amounted to a true debut season as a college starter. One area where he could grow in 2026 is as a leader, and Ohio State is going to need it given the tough games on the schedule. Ohio State’s starting center recently spoke about Sayin’s growth in that department heading into the 2026 season, and the early returns sound encouraging.
Being a leader as a quarterback is vital anywhere, but coach Ryan Day puts a point of emphasis on it in Columbus especially. Sayin setting the tone in the locker room and on the practice field this offseason could pay dividends when the Buckeyes face hostile environments in Austin, Bloomington, and Los Angeles.
The Buckeyes need Sayin to use his legs more
Along with growing his leadership, the Buckeyes could use Sayin being more willing to run the football. When factoring in sack yardage, Sayin had -44 rushing yards for Ohio State last season. There are going to be moments in 2026 where the Buckeyes simply need him to tuck the ball and use his legs, particularly against the caliber of defenses they’ll face on the road.
There’s a ton of talent around Sayin, but often in football, you go as far as your quarterback can take you. Sayin taking a clear step forward in his second year as a starter is going to be key for Ohio State if the Buckeyes want to reach their biggest goals.