Julian Sayin, Caden Curry Top PFF Ratings Among Buckeyes After Strong Showings In Win Over Illinois 

For the third time in four weeks, quarterback Julian Sayin and defensive end Caden Curry have been one of Ohio State’s three-highest graded players according to Pro Football Focus ratings. 

For the second week in a row, the redshirt freshman quarterback, Sayin, was Ohio State’s highest graded player with a whopping 92.1 rating.

In the Buckeyes 34-16 victory over Illinois in Champaign, Sayin completed 19 of his 27 pass attempts for 166 yards and two passing touchdowns. Sayin is the only Buckeye to earn a PFF grade of over 90 more than once this season. 

Curry was Ohio State’s second-highest graded player of the week behind Sayin with a grade of 79.2. The Greenwood, Ind. native only had two tackles — his lowest total of the season through six games — but added one sack, one tackle for loss and was able to recover a fumble by Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer forced by Jermaine Mathews Jr. on a cornerback blitz.  

Following Curry and Sayin, sophomore Payton Pierce (74.9) rounded out the top three for Ohio State. The Buckeyes linebacker had four tackles (two solo), half a tackle for loss and intercepted a pass that was deflected and tipped in the air by Mathews. 

Safety Caleb Downs earned Ohio State’s highest mark in the secondary with a 72.3 rating in 72 snaps of action. Downs finished with nine tackles (seven solo). 

Josh Padilla, who’s primary position is center, but has been rotating in for Tegra Tshabola at right guard for Ohio State, was the Buckeyes highest-graded lineman with a 67.5 mark on 14 snaps. Left tackle Austin Siereveld was PFF’s next-best lineman with a rating of 66.4. 

Tight end Bennett Christian (40.9 rating, 20 snaps), defensive end Beau Atkinson (50.5, 24) and freshman cornerback Devin Sanchez (56.1, 65) were the Buckeyes lowest-graded players against Illinois.