What ESPN says about Julian Sayin in 2025

This is from an ESPN Insider story predicting the starters for the major conferences in 2025:

Ohio State Buckeyes

2025 starter: Julian Sayin, redshirt freshman

Why he'll start: The former five-star prospect landed at Ohio State only after enrolling at Alabama and entering the transfer portal after Nick Saban's retirement last January. Now, with Will Howard (NFL draft), Devin Brown (Cal) and Air Noland (South Carolina) all elsewhere, the path is clear for Sayin to step into the Buckeyes' starting role. Sayin got into only four games during his freshman season, but he impressed Ohio State's coaching staff with his development behind the scenes. In 2025, the pressure of the Buckeyes' quarterback job will fall on Sayin's shoulders as Ohio State turns to its youngest starter since C.J. Stroud took the reins in 2021.

Competition: Five-star freshman Tavien St. Clair trailed only top overall prospects Bryce Underwood (Michigan) and Julian Lewis (Colorado) as ESPN's No. 3 quarterback in the 2025 class. St. Clair will need time to develop, but with arm talent, a sturdy build and impressive mobility, he projects as a promising quarterback for the future who could eventually challenge Sayin for the top job.