At 6'1", 208, Julian Sayin doesn't have ideal size for a NFL quarterback. However, he's been working on adding more muscle weight this offseason, and he's already vastly improved his strength.
To borrow a baseball term, he's basically added some velocity on his fastball. Completing 301-of-391 passes for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns, to go against only eight interceptions last season, Sayin finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
He's a consensus top 10, and according to some, top five overall prospect in the 2027 class. He should be the third or fourth quarterback off the boards next April.
Now that he's stronger, he poses a very challenging proposition for all of the Buckeyes' opponents this upcoming season.
"I think this offseason I grew a lot
in my physical traits, so I think I'm throwing the ball harder," the former five-star recruit said at Big Ten Media Days.
"Still growing my game in the processing side because we have coaches like Coach Day and Coach Smith who have been around great quarterbacks and know the game really well.
"It's very helpful as a quarterback to be able to process things and kind of train your brain."
The Carlsbad, CA native and Alabama transfer came oh so close to breaking Bo Nix's record for season completion percentage in 2025. He finished at 77% to Nix's 77.5%, so with just a couple more completions, here or there along the way, he would have had it.
Maybe this year he gets over the line?
Sayin discussed his summer preseason preparation:
"I think it's just been having the commitment in the weight room and the strength program. I think Coach Mick (Associate Athletic Director for Football Sports Performance Mickey Marotti) has challenged me a lot this offseason and it's been a great offseason to work with him and to really connect with this team."
Head coach Ryan Day has noticed a change in him as well.
"(Sayin) Has a different look in his eye," Day said at Media Days.
"I said before, he had great success last year. He won his first start ever (at) home against Texas in a big top-five matchup, won our rivalry game (against Michigan) in the sideways snow, but then came up short at the end of the year. We all did, but when you look in his eye now, you see a different person."
Day also noticed the more specific physical changes in Sayin from last year.
"You see a different body," Day continued.
"He's worked hard, he's gotten stronger, he's found his voice even more, and he's got a great look in his eye. I think he's poised for a great season."
Sayin won a national championship in 2024, as a backup to Will Howard. It would mean the world to him to do it again, this time as the QB1.
He said of the team's goals for the upcoming year: "It's always beat the team up north, win the Big Ten and win the national championship."
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Ohio St. quarterback Julian Sayin on how he's leveling up his game
