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Julian Sayin details growth as vocal leader during QB battle

Julian Sayin has been in Columbus about a year and a half after transferring to Ohio State from Alabama following the surprise retirement of former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban in January 2024.

Now, amidst a competitive preseason position battle to become Ohio State’s next starting quarterback, the redshirt freshman QB is working on becoming more comfortable as a vocal leader inside the Buckeyes locker room.

“I feel like I’m developing in that area. In the weight room, with (head strength) Coach Mick(ey Marotti), we’ve been focusing on that trying to improve (my) vocal leadership, and just as a team by growing our leaders,” Sayin said Tuedsay during a preseason media availability. “I feel like I’m developing in that role and getting more comfortable in that.”

Of course, leadership — especially of the overly vocal variety necessary of a major Division I quarterback — doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Which is why Sayin has made it a point to develop that part of his game, along with showing Ohio State coaches he has everything it takes to be the Buckeyes’ new QB1. By that same token, Sayin knows he can’t force the issue with his teammates. It must come natually.

“I feel like I’m developing it, but I feel like it has to be authentic – you can’t be someone you’re not,” Sayin continued. “So there’s definitely styles of leadership, but I feel like I’m developing into that more vocal leadership role.”

Sayin, a former Five-Star Plus+ recruit ranked the No. 8 overall prospect in the 2024 class according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, is entrenched in a fierce competition with redshirt junior Lincoln Kienholz to replace Will Howard as Ohio State’s starting quarterback this upcoming season. Last season, Sayin appeared in four games while maintaining his redshirt, completing 5-of-12 passes for 84 yards and one touchdown.

But if he’s going to be the man leading the Buckeyes out of the tunnel this season, Sayin knows it’ll require an even more vocal leadership approach.

Julian Sayin highlights comradery with Lincoln Kienholz, Tavien St. Clair

Ohio State‘s quarterbacks aren’t allowing internal competition to prevent them from bonding. On Tuesday, QB Julian Sayin discussed his relationship with the other Buckeyes in the quarterback room.

“In the spring, we only had three guys here in the room: me, Tavien [St. Clair] and Lincoln [Kienholz]. So, we were very close as a group,” Sayin said. “That’s just grown over the summer, and then this camp. We’re a very close room, and (Ohio State QB coach Billy) Fessler leads that. We compete every day, but we have each other’s backs, for sure.

“We do quarterback stuff. We go over to Coach Fessler’s house and hang out. It’s a very tight room,” Sayin added. “We hang out off the field and do a lot of stuff together, so it’s good. This summer, I know all the quarterbacks we were playing at P.I.G. at Coach Fessler’s house. It was fun.”