Julian Sayin entered the 2025 season with lower expectations than QBs like Arch Manning. However, the OSU QB delivered historically elite passing accuracy that the Texas QB couldn’t match. Thus, after a terrific freshman year, the Heisman finalist has earned a spot on one of Adam Carter’s lists alongside No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza and former Buckeye QB CJ Stroud.

Sayin’s efficiency was staggering, which established him among the most efficient Power Four quarterbacks since 2012. His 77% short-range accuracy and remarkable 70% accuracy from a clean pocket demonstrate a poise and precision rarely seen in a first-year starter. To add to that, Sayin had a 5.5% Big Time Throw (BTT) rate from a clean pocket and a 6.2% BTT rate while under pressure. These numbers are far more impressive than Mendoza, who has 30+ career starts, and Stroud, who had around 25 career starts before declaring for the 2023 NFL draft.

Stroud was labelled as the most accurate passer of his draft class. Scouting reports described him as a ball-placement specialist who could deliver passes with the precision of a JUGS machine. PFF also graded Stroud as the best Big Ten quarterback in the 2021 season with a 67.6 percent accurate pass rate.

“I say with C.J., he really drops the ball in there. The best way to put it is like Russell Wilson,” former teammate and first-round wide receiver Garrett Wilson told the Big Ten Network last year.

NFL evaluators always love a quarterback who judges the pocket, keeps his eyes downfield, and consistently delivers smooth and compact throws. That significantly made Stroud an overall 2nd pick by the Houston Texans. Now, believe it or not, Julian Sayin has a better ceiling than that. Stroud did this in two years as a starter. On the other hand, Sayin has achieved better numbers in just one year.

Against Grambling State last season, Sayin achieved near-perfect efficiency. He completed 94.7% (18-of-19) of his passes for 306 yards and 4 touchdowns, setting a school record by completing his first 16 passes of the game. Against archrival Michigan, Sayin was kept clean on 25 of 27 dropbacks. He completed 18 of 24 passes for 228 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception when the pocket was clean.

In that same game, the Wolverines attempted to disrupt him by blitzing on 12 of his 27 dropbacks. Sayin excelled by completing 8 of 11 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown against the extra rushers.

“He’s very smart, he makes good decisions. And the ball comes out of his hand accurately,” Day said this about Sayin during the 2025 offseason.

Julian Sayin’s only task is to continue this momentum with even better percentages in the 2026 season. For the 2027 NFL draft, Sayin is highly projected as the No. 1 QB in the early rankings. Draft expert Todd McShay predicts that the 2027 class will be really fun to watch.

“It’s shaping up to be potentially one of the greatest quarterback classes in the history of the NFL draft,” McShay said.

Beware of Julian Sayin

After one year of being under center, Julian Sayin’s veteran presence is going to be a nightmare for rival defenses. And that’s why Ryan Day takes pride in his QB while entering the 2026 season.

“Not too many guys his age have been to New York City. And when you’re a Heisman trophy finalist or have had the year that he had, at his age, usually, learn things,” Day said in an interview with 10TV’s Dom Tiberi. “I think he learned some things at the end of the year. So now you have a more veteran guy who’s played some football before, not going into these first few games.

You’ve seen our schedule, you’ve seen our road schedule and what we have next year, but it’s certainly going to help having somebody that’s been through it before and has some experience.”

OSU will train throughout the offseason, focusing on the aspects that stood out as flaws for their QB. His dual-threat potential hasn’t been unlocked. Apart from that, Sayin recorded 16 sacks, most of which came against high-stakes opponents like Indiana and Miami.