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Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is viewed by many NFL personnel as a promising professional prospect, but one scouting director's comparison to Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young has introduced a note of caution. The comparison, which likens Sayin's situation to the debate surrounding Young, has some scouts questioning whether Sayin's success is due to his own talent or the talent around him.
Sayin is now in his fourth collegiate season and his third with the Buckeyes. Last year, he delivered his best performances to date, leading Ohio State to the College Football Playoffs and demonstrating his high ceiling. He aims to build on that success in 2026 and keep the Buckeyes in national championship contention.
While NFL personnel and scouts have generally praised Sayin's ability to distribute the football, sources indicate that they want to see how he performs this season against a demanding schedule. Ohio State is set to face six teams that were ranked in the preseason top-25. The first test comes on Saturday at Texas, providing Sayin an opportunity to prove he can win in a difficult road environment, according to college football insider Pete Nakos.
"It'll be the Bryce Young debate of is it him, the players around him or both?" the college scouting director said.
Key Analysis
The comparison to Bryce Young highlights a central question for NFL evaluators: how much of a quarterback's success is attributable to his own skill versus the supporting cast? For Sayin, the upcoming season, particularly the game against Texas, will be crucial in answering that question. With Ohio State's rich history and recent national championship in the 2024-25 season, the spotlight is firmly on Sayin to demonstrate he can elevate his team against top competition.
Sayin and the No. 1 Buckeyes opened the 2026 campaign with a dominant 56-3 victory over Ball State. Sayin completed 21 of 25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, and he also added a rushing score. Ohio State now prepares for a road matchup against the No. 4 Texas Longhorns in Week 2, with kickoff scheduled for Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Related: Ohio State vs. Texas: Arch Manning, Julian Sayin ready to make 2027 NFL Draft statements
Related: Brian Kelly urges Michigan to change offense to fit Bryce Underwood after Week 1 nightmare
Originally reported by yahoo.