Former Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke has lined up against some of the best quarterbacks in college football. During his time in Columbus, he has seen it all, from C.J. Stroud’s pinpoint accuracy to Kyle McCord’s highs and lows to Will Howard’s steady leadership in a championship-winning season.
Now, as Howard is heading out, Burke is putting his complete confidence in Julian Sayin, a former five-star recruit with all the tools to take over as Ohio State’s next starting quarterback.
Denzel Burke Sings Words of Praise for Julian Sayin
Burke could not hide his excitement about Sayin’s future, especially as a potential successor to Will Howard. While attending the NFL Scouting Combine, Burke did not hold back when sharing his thoughts on Ohio State’s next quarterback.
Denzel Burke says he believes Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is “that guy” and that he’s going to be “a great player” in Columbus. pic.twitter.com/SnOuBDUPJ4
— Garrick Hodge (@Garrick_Hodge) February 27, 2025
“I think Julian is that guy, to be honest with you,” Burke said. “So, Lincoln [Kienholz] is pretty good too, so I’m great. I’m happy, I’m ready to see this little matchup they’re going to have. But Julian is a great player, great zip on the ball, great pocket presence. He’s going to have a good career.”
Burke also gave the reason behind Sayin’s deserving of the crucial position at the Buckeyes.
“I mean, a couple of practices in, when he first got here, just the way he’s throwing the ball, how he’s himself, how he’s all about ball, I could just tell,” he said.
Burke was also asked if he would draw any comparison to Sayin in terms of his playstyle, as the CB has played with multiple signal-callers.
“Hmm, I ain’t going to say that,” he said. “He has a good arm, but I won’t put nothing on him right now. But he’s going to be a great player.”
Burke has already cemented his status as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks and is projected to be a Day 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. After watching him in practice, Burke believes Sayin has the skill set to be a game-changer for Ohio State, offering a true dual-threat presence against Big Ten defenses.
KEEP READING: Ohio State HC Ryan Day Discusses Buckeyes QB Battle Following Will Howard’s NFL Departure
Despite attempting only 12 passes last season, Sayin has emerged as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.
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