The Decision

Ohio State has named sophomore Julian Sayin as its starting ⁢quarterback‍ for the highly​ anticipated 2025 ⁣season opener against the No. 1 ranked Texas Longhorns at Ohio Stadium. Coach ⁢Ryan Day announced​ the decision on Monday, August 18, 2025, emphasizing that Sayin‌ earned the⁣ role through consistent performance, particularly over⁣ the past week. ⁣The competition ⁤with junior Lincoln Kienholz was close, but‌ Sayin ultimately “separated himself,” according to Day.

Sayin’s Journey to the Starting Role

Sayin, ‍who was the nation’s No.⁢ 9 overall recruit and‌ the top prospect from California in⁤ the 2024 class,​ began his collegiate career at Alabama.⁢ Following ‍the retirement of legendary ⁤coach Nick‍ Saban, he transferred to Ohio State. ‍In 2024, Sayin appeared in four⁢ games for the buckeyes, ⁣completing 5 of 12 passes for 84 yards and one touchdown⁤ across 27 snaps. ‍He⁣ entered the 2025 offseason as the frontrunner for​ the starting position, receiving positive⁣ feedback from departing ‍Ohio State players who went on to the NFL after the national championship season.

kienholz’s Contribution and‌ the Depth⁤ chart

While Sayin secured the ‌starting role, Coach Day stressed⁤ the importance of both quarterbacks. “Our guys are confident again with both quarterbacks; we’ll need both quarterbacks,” Day‌ stated. lincoln Kienholz, who hasn’t seen game action​ sence the 2023 Cotton Bowl against Missouri (where he completed 6 of 17 ⁤passes for 86 yards), demonstrated critically important progress and athleticism during​ the competition. ‍He will serve as Sayin’s primary​ backup. Freshman ⁣ Tavien St. Clair,the No. 10 overall recruit in the 2025 class,‍ will round out the quarterback ⁣depth chart as⁢ the ‌third-string option.

Day noted the‌ difficulty of splitting practise reps as the game against Texas⁣ approaches, and Sayin’s recent consistency ultimately solidified his position as the starter. “You’re always⁣ looking for consistency and taking⁤ care of the ‌football,” Day explained. ⁢”When you start with practice​ 1 in the​ spring and ⁢do a study on the entire growth over six​ months,‍ you ⁣can see there’s a lot of growth made.”

Looking Ahead: Preparing for Texas

The Buckeyes⁤ are preparing to face a formidable Texas team,whom they⁤ defeated ‌in ​the college ⁢Football Playoff semifinal‌ at the ⁢Cotton Bowl in January. Day emphasized the need​ for ​both ⁤Sayin and ‌Kienholz to ⁤be ‌prepared, acknowledging that both will likely‍ see playing time throughout ⁢the season. Kienholz ‌reportedly handled the news of not ⁣being named​ the starter with ‍maturity ​and continued to practice with positive energy, understanding his role is vital to the ​team’s success.

Day Addresses Michigan Penalties

During the press conference,​ coach Day declined ‍to comment on the‍ NCAA penalties ‌levied⁤ against rival Michigan for ​a sign-stealing scandal.⁢ These penalties include a significant fine and a three-game suspension for coach Sherrone Moore, with two of those games occurring ‍during the 2025 season.