Julian Sayin named Ohio State’s starting QB ahead of Week 1 showdown with Texas
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
No. 3 Ohio State has officially named its starting quarterback going into the massive Week 1 showdown vs. visiting No. 1 Texas. Ohio State coach Ryan Day confirmed redshirt freshman Julian Sayin earned the nod after competing with redshirt sophomore Lincoln Kienholz.
Sayin and Kienholz evenly split reps during the quarterback competition this offseason. Sayin is succeeding last season’s starting quarterback Will Howard, who is now on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The California native committed to Alabama out of high school as a 5-star recruit. However, Sayin hit the transfer portal after head coach Nick Saban retired.
Sayin appeared in 4 games last season for the Buckeyes, completing 5 of his 12 passes for 84 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions. Sayin also rushed for 24 yards on 2 carries in 2024.
This is a rematch of last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal in which eventual national champion Ohio State defeated Texas 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl. The all-time series between Ohio State and Texas is tied at 2, with all matchups coming from 2005 and later.
Texas at Ohio State will play on Aug. 30 (noon ET) and will be televised on FOX. Texas’ starting quarterback will be redshirt sophomore Arch Manning, who is entering his first season as QB1.
