August 30 will be a five-star versus five-star matchup at QB for Texas-Ohio State
The college football world will be watching with intent August 30 when the Texas Longhorns travel to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes. On Monday, it was announced Julian Sayin will be the starter for Ryan Day. He will face off with fellow five-star Arch Manning.Let’s take a look at each prospect and what a […]
The college football world will be watching with intent August 30 when the Texas Longhorns travel to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes.
On Monday, it was announced Julian Sayin will be the starter for Ryan Day. He will face off with fellow five-star Arch Manning.
Let’s take a look at each prospect and what a scouting report says about the season opener.
Arch Manning is easily the most-hyped recruit of all-time. And it’s for good reason.
I’ve talked to several people around the college football world all offseason about Arch Manning. Most expect him to meet expectations. But, can he exceed them? And how quickly?
247Sports’ national director of scouting, Andrew Ivins gave his thoughts on Manning and how he fits in Steve Sarkisian’s offense earlier this summer.
“I fully anticipate there to be some lumps and growing pains, but he’s the most popular recruit of our lifetime for a reason,” Ivins said. “Everyone knows who he is and he’s under the microscope every second of every single day.
“He’s got everything you want in the position but it would be wise to tamper expectations a little bit,” Ivins said. “Last year I wrote a story about the five-star quarterbacks and imploring them to ‘please stand up’. Drew Allar, Cade Klubnik, Connor Weigman., all a bit underwhelmed. Now you see No. 1 pick buzz, Heisman buzz.
“Sometimes we fail to realize they’re not day one superheroes,” Ivins said. “There’s a reason it is the most difficult position to play and scout.”
Julian Sayin was no slouch coming out of high school. But things get very real in two weeks.
The Carlsbad (Calif.) prospect was named Elite 11 Finals MVP and initially signed with the Alabama Crimson Tide. But, he opted for the transfer portal and ended up in Columbus. Now, after waiting his turn, he gets his chance to drive the scarlet and gray Ferrari.
247Sports’ Greg Biggins was a big fan of Sayin coming out of high school. He gave his scouting report back in 2024.
“Sayin had a strong senior year and developed his game in multiple areas. Physically, he looked more developed and stronger in his upper body. He always had an advanced feel for the position with an extremely high football IQ,” Biggins said. “He’s an accurate passer, poised and understands timing and anticipation. His physical tools in terms of his size and arm strength took a jump this year and he played with a lot more twitch in his game.
“His athleticism has always been an under-rated part of his game and this year, we saw him take off and run more and showed the ability to easily elude pass rushers and extend plays,” Biggins said. “He’s a heady player with a high football IQ and could be the most ‘ready to play early’ quarterback in this year’s class.”
At first glance, I give the early edge to Arch Manning and Texas.
Manning has more experience than Sayin and a lot more pieces around him in my opinion. Ohio State’s new quarterback has only attempted 12 passes in his career. You compare this to Manning and his two seasons of 95 attempts, nearly 1,000 passing yards, and SEC experience and it’s not exactly a stretch to come to this conclusion.
Sayin’s defense is replacing damn near everyone after winning the national title in January. The Longhorns return three All-Americans and boast one of the best units at all three levels. The Buckeyes bring back Sonny Styles, Davidson Igbinosun, and Caleb Downs, which is nothing to sneeze at, but the front seven is the big question.
And Texas is bringing in an incredibly talented running back group which features Tre Wisner, the lone 1,000+ yard returning back in CFB, and uber talented back CJ Baxter who has been turning heads like crazy in fall camp. Sure, Texas is replacing four starters on the offensive line, but there’s a ton of optimism there and a lot of older talent in the room.
At the end of the day, I think Arch Manning wins this round.
These two teams could potentially face each other again down the road in the College Football Playoff. But as for August 30, give me the more experienced quarterback (if only by just a little) and a defense with playmakers at all three levels.
Ohio State has Jeremiah Smith who is one of the early favorites for the Heisman Trophy. But barring him getting 20 targets and doing his best Jaxon Smith-Njigba impersonation, I don’t see Ohio State winning the opener.
Which, look, whoever loses this opener is not going to be out of CFP contention at all. Both have plenty of conference opportunities and may run the table to set up potentially a monster of a 2025 season rematch.
