The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off an incredible season after their unexpected dominance in the 2024 College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes entered the postseason while still dealing with the backlash from a humiliating loss to rival Michigan Wolverines but turned it around and secured the national title.
With a new season approaching, analysts are sharing their thoughts on what 2025 holds for the Buckeyes. Recently, CFB analyst Josh Pate predicted a bight future for the quarterback heir apparent in 2025.
CFB Analyst Josh Pate Claims Ohio State QB Julian Sayin Is Headed for Stardom
During a recent episode of “Josh Pate’s College Football Show,” the analyst shared some strong predictions for QB Julian Sayin’s sophomore year with the Buckeyes.
“I trust them at quarterback. Now, they’re unknown. They’re unproven at quarterback. I think Julian Sayin is going to be a star in college football next year, so I’m high on him,” Pate said.
The Buckeyes former starting quarterback, Will Howard, will enter the 2025 NFL Draft, leaving his position vacant. Howard was instrumental in Ohio State’s victory against Notre Dame in the National Championship Game, with 17 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
With Howard gone, it is unclear who will take his place as the starter. Players like Taven St. Claire and Lincoln Kienholz are likely candidates, but Pate is convinced that Sayin is next in line.
“Ohio State, I don’t know if that’s a battle. Like, I really expect Julian Sayin to be the starting quarterback there,” Pate said.
Pate also acknowledged St. Clair’s chances at getting the starting role, noting that he could make a case for himself during spring and fall camps. That said, Sayin’s chances are significantly higher due to the breadth of experience he gained playing behind Howard in 2024.
Pate Predicts Ohio State Big Ten Championship
Pate has high hopes for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2025. Pate predicted that the Buckeyes would win the Big Ten Championship in the upcoming season despite the departure of key players. He even suggested that the Buckeyes’ current roster rivals that of teams like Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan.
“Big Ten. I’d put Ohio State right back there. Ohio State over Penn State? Sounds reasonable. Give me that right now,” Pate said.
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“You can’t view Ohio State in a vacuum, so people will look at Ohio State and they’ll say, ‘Oh, how can you pick them to win the conference? Look at all they lost (players).’ “Well, I don’t have them competing against last year’s version of themselves.”
The Ohio State Buckeyes, led by whoever is deemed QB1, will open the 2025 season in August with a CFP semifinal rematch against the Texas Longhorns, who will likely be led by Arch Manning, a notable backup-turned-starter himself.
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