College football is a game full of intensity and pressure, and no one understands that better than Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day. After facing significant criticism for his loss to Michigan last season, Day responded by leading the Buckeyes to a national championship victory. However, that success hasn’t earned him or the team any leeway going into the new season. Instead, the expectations are even higher as they aim to defend their title.
Now, Day is dealing with a pressing issue at the quarterback position. Although Julian Sayin is currently the frontrunner for the starting role, there are growing concerns surrounding him—mainly due to his size and the intense pressure he faces as a 19-year-old.
Day recently shared the qualities he’s looking for in his new quarterback: toughness, leadership, and the ability to rise to the occasion despite youth. Sayin has already generated buzz due to his potential, despite limited playtime last season where he completed 41.7% of his passes. He’s drawn praise from insiders for his athleticism and intelligence, even being called the “smartest quarterback” the program has ever had. Sayin was also named MVP of the 2023 Elite 11, which sparked early Heisman Trophy conversations.
During Ohio State’s spring practice, Sayin continued to impress. He completed 16 of 24 passes for 175 yards and threw a touchdown, including a standout connection with tight end Max Klare. Yet, a concern remains—his height. At 6’1”, Sayin is shorter than many of Ohio State’s past quarterbacks, such as Will, Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, CJ Stroud, and Kyle McCord, all of whom stood at 6’3” or taller.
Day addressed this concern, acknowledging that height can impact vision and passing lanes, especially when facing taller defensive linemen. However, he downplayed its overall significance. He cited successful shorter quarterbacks like Bryce Young, Kyler Murray, and Johnny Manziel, as well as Ohio State’s own Troy Smith, who won the Heisman in 2006 at just 6’0”. For Day, success is more about performance and confidence than stature.
He emphasized that shorter quarterbacks must compensate by being technically sound, such as keeping their elbow above their shoulder to avoid tipped passes—something Sayin experienced during the spring game. According to Day, a quarterback must “play big” regardless of physical size.
While Sayin continues working to prove himself as the team’s leader, Day is already pleased with another key figure—new offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. After the departure of former coordinator Chip Kelly to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, Day promoted Hartline, who had been the team’s wide receivers coach. This spring marked Hartline’s first time calling plays for the Buckeyes.
Day refrained from using a headset during the practice game to allow Hartline the freedom to operate without interference. He later shared his approval, noting that Hartline had a solid game plan and maintained good rhythm during the game. Though there are still areas to refine, Day appreciated Hartline’s preparation and approach.
Hartline’s history with the Buckeyes gives him a unique edge—he played for Ohio State from 2005 to 2008 and contributed to eight Big Ten championships. Now, his challenge lies in developing key players like wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and implementing effective offensive schemes to keep the Buckeyes competitive at the highest level.