Ohio State head coach Ryan Day on Aug. 18 named redshirt-freshman quarterback Julian Sayin the Buckeyes’ starter for the 2025 season, edging out junior Lincoln Kienholz after a months-long competition that ran through spring drills and training camp. Sayin, a former five-star recruit from Carlsbad, California, transferred from Alabama in early 2024 following Nick Saban’s retirement. He appeared in four games last year, completing 5 of 12 passes for 84 yards and a touchdown while backing up Will Howard on Ohio State’s national-championship squad. The 20-year-old will make his first collegiate start on Aug. 30 at Ohio Stadium against top-ranked Texas, setting up a marquee duel with Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning in the first No. 1 vs. No. 3 season opener of the Coaches Poll era. Separately, California has chosen true freshman and Oregon transfer Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele as its Week 1 starter after he beat out former Buckeye Devin Brown, according to the program and multiple reports.