Ohio State's starting quarterback had to make a transfer portal decision just like every player does after last season. Julian Sayin's approach is one Buckeye Nation will appreciate.
Ryan Day has something he's only had with Justin Fields and CJ Stroud in Columbus with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2026: a returning starting quarterback.
Ohio State will have QB Julian Sayin back for a second season in 2026 after he was a Heisman finalist as a redshirt freshman last year. Sayin is a former Alabama transfer, so he knows how the portal works, and he was recently asked how he approached the idea of transferring out after last season with Ohio State.
Every player has to weigh the idea of transferring after each season, it's just how college football goes. We see players in good situations transfer to other teams for a bigger payday all the time. Sayin though, never even thought about leaving Columbus.
"I didn't talk to anybody, and there was no reason to talk to me," Sayin told On3's Chris Low recently. "I wasn't going anywhere, I would say everybody probably already knew that and wasn't going to waste their time. Why would you leave here and play quarterback anywhere else?"
Sayin is coming off a season where he completed 77 percent of his passes for 3,610 passing yards, 32 passing touchdowns, and just eight interceptions. The California native went 12-2 as a first-time starter and will be expected to take a step forward in 2026.
Quarterbacks want to play at Ohio State because of Day's ability to develop them, but it makes it even easier when you're throwing the ball to Jeremiah Smith. Ohio State will return its star wide receiver for his junior season and Bo Jackson is back to lead the running back position as a sophomore. Add in an experienced offensive line and there was really no reason for Sayin to even think about leaving.
Ohio State brought in an NFL offensive coordinator for what could be Sayin's last season in college. Working with Arthur Smith is going to be a positive for the 6-foot-1 quarterback and getting ready for the next level.
Sayin needs to take a step in his second season starting both in the pocket and showing the ability to run when needed. If Sayin can take a step forward in his second season, Ohio State's going to have a good shot at accomplishing its biggest goals.
