Can Ryan Day replicate the success that he achieved with the Natty win last season? Can he capitalize on that winning momentum and replicate Kirby Smart’s heroics of winning back-to-back championships? Well, the answer to all these questions boils down to just a single question: Who is going to be the QB in 2025? And can he perform even at Will Howard’s standards? Currently, though, both Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz are in contention. But if you ask the legendary Nick Saban, he has a clear-cut answer to that, along with a special message.

QB battle is one of the processes that becomes necessary for players to perform at their best. It demands the highest from all the QBs and, lastly, gives the head coach the ability to analyze some of the strengths and weaknesses objectively. Both Julian Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz have shown consistency and poise during spring practices and have gone toe-to-toe. Even in the spring game, both QBs performed quite well, with Julian Sayin slightly edging Kienholz.

Sayin threw for 175 yards and completed 17 of the 24 passes, whereas Kienholz threw for 158 yards, completing 12 out of 18. With such close performances, it’s almost impossible to make a quick decision. However, Kienholz also has had his moments. For instance, in Ohio State’s student appreciation day practice, he showed leadership, sharper throws, and pocket presence, whereas Sayin fumbled the ball 2 times. So yes, the competition is close, but Saban picked Sayin and noted three things he liked in the Ohio State QB.

In a video interview posted on X by ‘97.1 The Fan,’ Saban was asked how talented Julian Sayin is since he recruited him at Alabama before the QB transferred to Ohio State. “Well, Julian is a great young man. And you know, I think he’s getting bigger and stronger.”

The former Bama head coach then highlighted three things that stand out for Julian Sayin. “He’s got really good touch, really good accuracy, a good judgment, so he’s a really good young player.” Saban even praised Ryan Day for his national title and said, “It was a dream come true.” Moreover, he also said that he was “part Buckeye” himself due to his coaching stint as DB coach at OSU.

The 6’1″ and 206 lbs. QB came as a five-star at Alabama under Nick Saban but transferred to Ohio State after the latter’s departure in January 2024. While Sayin hasn’t seen much action as a starter at Ohio State, his high school performances speak volumes about his talent.

A player of Carlsbad High School, California, Sayin threw for 9,531 yards in three seasons at a stellar 70.9% accuracy. Moreover, his MVP performance in the Elite 11 Finals was top-notch, as he outperformed even QBs like Dylan Raiola. In college, however, the QB has just 84 yards to his name with 1 TD, so there’s a concern about inexperience. But with Saban’s endorsement, Ryan Day can even pick Julian Sayin with his eyes closed, right? But will he?

No hope at the QB1 spot for Lincoln Kienholz?

Well, time is scarce for both QBs to prove themselves with August just around the corner. But Julian Sayin still has the edge in the battle. Many analysts and prominent coaches have picked Sayin over Lincoln Kienholz. Even though Kienholz has slightly more experience since he played in the 2023 Cotton Bowl game. However, his stat sheet has just 111 yards to his name. So, in this case, which will be your ultimate pick if experience is important for you?

Jake Crain picked Sayin over Kienholz in his 20th May episode of Crain and Company and provided his reasoning. “We got a pretty good feeling [he’s] going to be the guy.” However, Crain also demanded elite pass protection for Sayin from Ohio State. “When you have guys like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate and bringing in Max Klare from Purdue, who we know is really talented, how many of the easy, fastballs are you going to try and give Julian Sayin early? And how much do you protect him with the run game and easy throws?”

Ryan Day has brought back Luke Montgomery at left guard, Carson Hinzman at center, and Tegra Tshabola at right guard. All these players come with a higher upside and will be pivotal for the team. Moreover, the addition of Ethan Onianwa from Rice at left tackle will provide elite pass protection at Sayin’s blind side. His frame of 6’6″ and 357 can stop even the biggest defenders. So the O-line seems to be elite, and now all that remains is for Julian Sayin to prove himself in the fall camp.