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Ohio State football faces the potential of having two Heisman Trophy contenders in Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin. But the quarterback Sayin clearly isn’t thinking about winning the top individual award for 2026.
He’s thinking more about he and the Buckeyes finishing strong compared to last season.
OSU watched Big Ten rival Indiana hoist the national title crown last season. Sayin now knows what it’s like to taste the expectations of winning the national championship after year one behind center. Now he’s more realistic about the “E” word surrounding his team, which he dove into via Eleven Warriors Thursday.
Sayin and OSU isn’t shy about believing they have a chip on their shoulder for ’26.
“I think our whole program does,” Sayin said. “We didn’t end the way we wanted to, we wanted to get a championship trophy, and it didn’t end that way. So I think the whole program has a chip on our shoulder from that this year.”
Sayin likely is still thinking back on one play he’d probably rather have back. The Miami Hurricanes’ Keionte Scott stepped in front of a Sayin screen pass that became a 72-yard pick six. Miami eventually stunned the Buckeyes 24-14 during its march to the National Championship Game.
Sayin needs to adjust to a new offensive coordinator too. Brian Hartline left after one season as full-time offensive coordinator to take over at USF. Now former NFL head coach and veteran offensive coordinator Arthur Smith arrives. Sayin shared he’s excited to work with the past Atlanta Falcons head coach who spent his last two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ohio State football faces the potential of having two Heisman Trophy contenders in Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin. But the quarterback Sayin clearly isn’t thinking about winning the top individual award for 2026. He’s thinking more about he and the Buckeyes finishing strong compared to last season.
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