Texas Longhorns star Arch Manning and Michigan Wolverines five-star recruit Bryce Underwood were among the most hyped-up quarterbacks to enter the 2025 college football season. Carson Beck, who transferred from the Georgia Bulldogs to the Miami Hurricanes, was also expected to be the best in the position. However, all three of them have been overshadowed by the signal-caller at Ohio State.
Julian Sayin, a five-star recruit, has attained much notoriety after his performance in the first two games. He led the Ohio State Buckeyes in a tight 14-7 season opener win against Manning’s Longhorns and then followed it up with a 70-0 dominant win against the Grambling State Tigers.
On Monday, college football analyst RJ Young is inclined to believe that Sayin has been the best quarterback so far and has exceeded expectations.
“Do you believe that Julian Sayin is the quarterback that we thought Arch and Bryce would be? Because I’m inclined to think so,” Young said (0:40). “Given the first two weeks and what we’ve seen from him, the big question was answered.”
Young went on to quote several records Sayin has broken already to stake his claim that he has been the most pleasing quarterback so far.
“Julian Sayin showed up and immediately became the heir apparent to Will Howard, who led Ohio State to a national championship last year and set a record for the most completions in a row to start a football game at Ohio State with 14 in only his second game,” the analyst added.
“Julian Sayin broke that record with 16 consecutive completions and a gaudy 18-of-19, 306 yards, four TDs, and a pick. That interception was the only incompletion that he threw. Also, Julian Sayin broke a record that had held true for more than 40 years: Number one teams facing a first-time starting quarterback had been 18–0, until Julian Sayin and the Buckeyes beat Texas and ascended to the number one spot.”
Julian Sayin closing in on Arch Manning in Heisman odds
Arch Manning started the season as the Heisman favorite, with him leading the odds board at +700, followed by Garrett Nussmeier (+900) and Julian Sayin trailing at +1800.
However, after two weeks of college football, Manning’s odds have dropped to +1200. Meanwhile, Sayin remains around the +2000 mark. This suggests that while Manning has disappointed the expectations from oddsmakers, Sayin has lived up to the expectations.
Last week, both quarterbacks passed for four touchdowns. In the 70–0 win over Grambling State, Sayin started with 16 straight completions, setting a school record. He threw 18-for-19 passes for 306 yards and four touchdowns. His only miss was a tipped-ball interception. Meanwhile, Manning completed 19-for-30 passes for 285 yards, 4 pass TDs, and 1 rush TD against San Jose State.
It remains to be seen how the odds swing in the upcoming weeks.
Read More
Paul Finebaum Puts Arch Manning Hype On Pause Despite Texas QB’s Massive 4-TD Stat Line vs SJSU
Julian Sayin Has The NFL Scouts Talking: Higher Ceiling Than Justin Fields
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
