Ryan Day admiring Julian Sayin’s growth as leader of the Buckeyes

CHICAGO — After a lackluster performance in the Playoff loss to Miami, Ohio State’s head coach expects his quarterback to bounce back in a big way this upcoming season.

Ryan Day felt Julian Sayin made some noise in his first year as the starter. After all, Sayin helped the Buckeyes win their first 12 games, taste postseason glory and was one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy. His success and accolades would do wonders at most Power Four programs, but not Ohio State.

Although Sayin didn’t deliver the Buckeyes a National Championship, Day believes the humility from the last two losses is providing more motivation for the gunslinger. The former five-star prospect is taking his game to the next level, refuses to be a liability, and eager to show improvement.

“When you look in his eye now, you see a different person, a different body, and he’s working hard and getting stronger,” Day said. “He’s found his voice even more, and I think he’s poised for a great season.”

Great quarterbacks make others around them better, and Sayin is a natural at getting his teammates to perform to the best of their abilities. And that speaks volumes,  considering Sayin has some of the best skill position players in College football. Day feels Sayin still has room for improvement though, and can’t wait for the signal-caller to spread his wings this fall.

“I think for Julian, you look for some traits that are extraordinary about him, and I think the first thing you recognize is his accuracy,” he said. “What you don’t see, but I see, is his intelligence level, and he can handle high levels of information.”

Having All-American wideout Jeremiah Smith to throw at, and 1,000-yard rusher Bo Jackson to hand the ball off to in the backfield, means Sayin doesn’t need to carry a heavy workload. His experience, production and leadership is second to none in Day’s eyes. Not to mention Sayin checks all of the boxes for a quarterback on the No. 1 team in the country,  and that’s what Day admires most about him.

“I mean, this is only the third time since I’ve been at Ohio State that we’ve had the same quarterback come back for a second year,” the 47-year old said. “That’s a big deal.”

At Ohio State it’s pretty much a National Title or bust, so there’s no denying that Sayin will have some pressure on him to get the team to the promised land. Still, pressure creates diamonds, and Sayin understands there’s going to be a bullseye on his jersey. Week in and week out, he’ll be getting the opposition’s best, so Day wants Sayin to keep his head on a swivel.

Game one will be an opportunity for Sayin to use an inferior opponent for target practice.  Regardless, the fans will withhold their judgment until week two when Ohio State makes that long trip to Texas for a blockbuster matchup. It’s going to be hard to top leading the entire FBS in completion percentage, and finishing second accuracy, but last year’s Big Ten Freshman of the Year is ready for whatever comes his way, and Day is eager to see what Sayin can accomplish.

“He’s highly, highly motivated, and really embraced this leadership role.”