Sayin named starter for Ohio State opener

Ohio State names Julian Sayin starting quarterback for the season opener with Texas after a summer battle with Lincoln Kienholz.

Sayin named starter for Ohio State opener against Texas

Julian Sayin will start at quarterback for Ohio State in the season opener against Texas at Ohio Stadium on August 30. Head coach Ryan Day announced the decision after Sayin beat out Lincoln Kienholz for the job. Sayin is a 2024 recruit who transferred from Alabama and appeared in four games last season, completing 5 of 12 passes for 84 yards with a touchdown. This game features Arch Manning leading Texas, a test that will reveal how Sayin handles a high profile level of competition early in the year.

Lincoln Kienholz opens as the backup, and Day noted that both quarterbacks have grown through spring and summer practice. The coach added that the team will need both quarterbacks this season, but Sayin provides the higher level of consistency to start the Texas game and lead the offense out of the gate.

This decision signals a clear vote of confidence in Sayin’s development over the past year and a strategic bet on his readiness for a high pressure opener. It also sets a fast pace for Ohio State as a program that prioritizes mobility, decision making, and the ability to run a modern offense from the start of the season.

The move underscores a broader trend in college football where programs give young quarterbacks early run to accelerate growth while maintaining depth behind them. It puts a spotlight on Day and his staff to steward Sayin through the first real test while keeping Kienholz ready to step in if needed, a dynamic that could shape the Buckeyes offense for several games and potentially the season.

Highlights

The season will unfold quickly as the Buckeyes navigate a challenging start.