Big Ten Coordinator Exposes the 1 Big Hole in Ohio State QB Julian Sayin’s Game

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin had a remarkable debut season in 2025. The sophomore led the Buckeyes to a 12-2 record, a Big Ten Championship Game appearance, and a spot in the College Football Playoff. He also finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, with 3,610 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Coach Ryan Day praised Sayin as "a hell of a first-year player," and many believe he could surpass his debut performance in 2026.

However, an anonymous Big Ten defensive coordinator has identified what they perceive as the one major weakness in Sayin's game. The coordinator, speaking to ESPN, noted that while Sayin is "a good athlete," he is "not a very big guy." They also pointed out that Sayin has been "unwilling to run" during games, despite being a capable runner. In fact, Sayin's longest run last season was just 12 yards, and the bulk of his rushing yards (-44) were negated by 16 sacks he took.

The coordinator observed that Sayin's lack of running proficiency, combined with his limited ability to roll out and use his feet, makes him vulnerable when the pocket breaks down. As a result, defensive teams have capitalized on this weakness by applying consistent pressure from the edge, effectively flushing Sayin out of the pocket when it starts to crumble. While Sayin's playmaking ability remains his strongest asset, this coordinator's assessment suggests there is a significant area of improvement for the 2026 season.