Sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin will start Ohio State’s season opener against No. 1 Texas, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day announced Monday.
The former five-star recruit beat out redshirt sophomore Lincoln Kienholz for the right to lead the No. 3 Buckeyes onto the field against the Longhorns on Aug. 30 in Columbus, Ohio.
“It was a close competition. I think both guys, we all feel confident can win a game for us,” Day said. “I think Julian separated himself really over the last week with his consistent play.”
Sayin was the No. 1 quarterback and No. 6 overall prospect in the 2024 recruiting class by the 247Sports composite.
The season-opening showdown will feature Sayin against Texas quarterback Arch Manning, the No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2023.
Sayin replaces Will Howard, who guided Ohio State to the College Football Playoff national championship last season before going to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Sayin came off the bench in four games last season and completed 5 of 12 passes for 84 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. His TD pass was a 55-yarder to Bennett Christian in the fourth quarter of a 56-0 victory against Western Michigan on Sept. 7.
Kienholz enters the season as the No. 2 quarterback, with Tavien St. Clair in the third-string role.