We would be remiss to not point out that Sayin’s profitable outing got here in opposition to a Matt Patricia protection. The maligned former Detroit Lions head coach (2018-20) took over for Jim Knowles, who left for Penn State earlier this offseason.
Nonetheless, we won’t fault Sayin for doing what another competent quarterback has carried out in opposition to Patricia-coached models in recent times.
Sayin initially enrolled at Alabama as 247Sports’ composite No. 1 quarterback through the 2024 recruiting rankings cycle however transferred to Ohio State following former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban’s surprising January 2024 retirement.
He takes over for Will Howard, who began all 16 video games through the workforce’s 2024 title run. Howard led the Huge Ten in completion share (73 %), throwing for 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Ohio State additionally misplaced operating backs TreVeyon Henderson (144 carries, 1,016 yards) and Quinshon Judkins (194 carries, 1,060 yards), broad receiver Emeka Egbuka (81 receptions, 1,011 yards), plus a number of defenders, together with edge-rushers Jack Sawyer (9 sacks) and J.T. Tuimoloau (12.5 sacks), cornerback Denzel Burke (two interceptions) and defensive sort out Tyleik Williams (eight tackles for loss).
Most groups would anticipate a big decline in on-field outcomes with such important departures, however not Ohio State.
Sayin has the potential to be a greater playmaker than Howard, and the Buckeyes retained excellent broad receiver Jeremiah Smith, who burst on the scene as a freshman and will change into Ohio State’s first Heisman winner since quarterback Troy Smith (2006) this December.
They may very well be faculty soccer’s most harmful tandem this fall.
Sayin checked all of the containers in his first check as Ohio State’s potential first-string quarterback. The defending nationwide champions will look totally different this fall, however the consequence could be the identical.
