Ohio State Quarterback Julian Sayin Named Shaun Alexander Freshman Of The Year

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin may not have won the Heisman Trophy after his outstanding first season as the Buckeyes’ starting signal-caller, but he was named the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year on Tuesday.

Sayin, a redshirt freshman, took home the award, given to the best freshman in the country, after throwing for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns and six interceptions. Sayin has completed 78.4 percent of his passes this season, which is by far the best mark in the country.

Sayin helped lead Ohio State to its first 12-0 regular season since 2019. Sayin also helped lead the Buckeyes to their first win over Michigan since 2019. Against the Wolverines, Sayin threw for 233 yards, three touchdowns and one interception while completing 19 of 26 passes. 

Sayin is the first Buckeye to ever receive the award, but junior safety Caleb Downs also won the award in 2023. However, Downs played for Alabama that season, before transferring to Ohio State.

Sayin and the rest of the Buckeyes suffered their first loss to Indiana in the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 6, but will have the chance to respond from that loss in the College Football Playoffs. The Buckeyes’ playoff run will start at the Cotton Bowl in a game against Miami (Fla.) on New Year’s Eve.