A new NCAAF season is just around the corner, and the Ohio State Buckeyes will face the tough challenge of defending the title they won just months ago. In a clear show of confidence in his new quarterback, head coach Ryan Day has named Julian Sayin the teamâs Week 1 starter.
After the Buckeyes secured the most recent National Championship, Will Howard made the pivotal decision to declare for the NFL Draft. He ultimately landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which will now be his new home at the pro level.
With a highly challenging debut ahead against the Longhorns, Ryan Day offered solid advice to Julian Sayin, emphasizing that he should stick to what heâs done so far â the very approach that earned him this privileged position in the first place.
âAll he needs to do is just do what heâs been doing,â the HC said on Monday to the press. âWeâve talked a lot about that whole Roy Hobbs myth: âYou just need to be you.â Youâre going to sink to the level of your training. And so I think that he knows that the team has confidence, the coaches have confidence in him. So go let it rip.â
Quarterback Julian Sayin #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes seen in action during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Ohio Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
A fresh start full of promise
The Ohio State Buckeyes are poised for a new era as true freshman Julian Sayin steps in to fill the massive void left by quarterback Will Howard, who is now headed to the NFL. Sayinâs rise to the starting role represents a significant turning point for the program, as his exceptional talent and poise have already earned him the trust of the coaching staff.
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With Howardâs departure, the team is now fully committed to Sayin as their new leader on offense, and all eyes will be on him to see if he can deliver on the immense hype. His performance will not only shape the Buckeyesâ season but also determine the teamâs trajectory for years to come.
A tough debut ahead
On August 30, the reigning champions will begin their title defense at home against Arch Manningâs Texas Longhorns, in what promises to be a highly demanding opener. From there, a tough stretch of games will put Ryan Day and company to the test, as they look to prove whether theyâre truly capable of repeating last seasonâs success.
- vs Texas, August 30
- vs Grambling State, September 6
- vs Ohio, September 13
- @ Washington, September 27
- vs Minnesota, October 4
