Ohio State is entering fall camp with presumably a close quarterback competition on its hands, with redshirt freshman Julian Sayin and redshirt sophomore Lincoln Kienholz each vying for the role after flashing at different times in the spring.
Although head coach Ryan Day indicated that the two young throwers showed almost identical film during the spring, many on the outside believe that the eventual starter will be the former five-star and Alabama transfer Sayin, who left Buckeyes fans with a strong final impression coming out the spring, completing an efficient 17 of his 24 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown to zero interceptions in the annual spring game at Ohio Stadium.
Sayin’s strong showing in front of over 40,000 fans at the Horseshoe that day was headlined by the noticeable zip and accuracy he had on his throws, a trait that has been used to describe the young gunslinger since his high school days. That strength has also been noticed by those who have caught passes from Sayin at Ohio State this year, including star sophomore wideout Jeremiah Smith, who had delivered high praise to his potential starting quarterback during an interview with The Athletic’s Manny Navaro.
“That arm is different,” Smith said. “He can make any and every throw. Just a smart quarterback. Like me, he’s a little quiet. But he’s starting to come out of (his) shell. He’s definitely going to be a guy. It’s going to be scary for opponents.”
Smith is not the first current or former Buckeye to praise Sayin for his arm strength and overall intangibles. During the NFL Scouting Combine this winter, former Ohio State cornerback and current Arizona Cardinal Denzel Burke offered a similar compliment and lauded Sayin as the next potential great Buckeye quarterback in line.
“I think he’s that guy, to be honest with you,” Burke said. “Julian is a great player and puts great zip on the ball, has great pocket presence and he’s going to have a great career.”
Sayin — who played just four games in his true freshman season, completing five of his 12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown — will look to deliver on that praise and claim the starting job from Kienholz when Ohio State begins fall camp on July 31. According to Ohio State, the first three practices — on the 31st, Aug. 1 and Aug. 2 — will be open to fans, who can purchase tickets at $30 apiece for general admission and $135 for VIP from June 2 through July 13.
