After an intense competition, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has named Julian Sayin the starting quarterback ahead of the Buckeyes’ season opener against Texas.
Julian Sayin Will Start At Quarterback For Ohio State
Super Sayin Time 👀
Coach Day announces Julian Sayin as the Week 1 starter. @OhioStateFB | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/YT3apR2PiT
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) August 18, 2025
Coach Day will turn to Sayin when the season starts in less than two weeks.
The redshirt sophomore beat out sophomore Lincoln Kienholz and freshman Tavien St. Clair to earn the right to start against Texas.
“It was a close competition, and I think we feel confident that both guys can win a game for us,” Day said about the quarterback battle via 247 Sports. “I think Julian separated himself, really, over the last week with his consistent play. I feel like our guys are confident with both quarterbacks, and I think we will need both quarterbacks. Lincoln did a lot of great things, but we’re going to name Julian the starter here and give him the majority of the reps with the ones, and go and prepare to beat Texas.”
Sayin was a top-10 recruit in the nation in 2024. Sayin initially enrolled at Alabama but transferred to Ohio State after Nick Saban announced his retirement from coaching.
Sayin completed 5 of 12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown in four games last season. With Will Howard now in the NFL, Sayin was viewed as the favorite to win the job.
Day said the team will also need Kienholz to play at some point this season.
Ohio State Enters 2025 Season With Tons Of Pressure
Moments make legends. Legends make history.
Witness the biggest season opener EVER 🤘🌰
August 30th @TexasFootball meets @OhioStateFB in Columbus on FOX 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KR6rL432wS
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 2, 2025
There will be no grace period for the Buckeyes when they open the 2025 season as the defending national champions. One of the most anticipated games of the season will feature two of the three top-ranked teams in the country.
No. 3 Ohio State welcomes No. 1 Texas Longhorns to Columbus on Aug. 30. That game will be played at noon ET as part of Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff.
Ohio State and Texas played in one of the semifinals of last year’s College Football Playoff.
Ohio State edged out Texas by a score of 28-14 in the Cotton Bowl to advance to the national championship. The Buckeyes then defeated Notre Dame to win their first national title since the 2014 season.
The Longhorns are No. 1 in the preseason coaches’ poll for the first time in history. Texas will start Heisman Trophy hopeful Arch Manning at quarterback.
The winner will immediately have the strongest resume for the College Football Playoff.
