CJ Stroud sets expectations for Julian Sayin as Ohio State starting quarterback

Ahead of Saturday’s highly-anticipated season-opening showdown between No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State in Columbus, former Buckeyes quarterback CJ Stroud joined ESPN’s First Take on Tuesday morning to discuss his expectations for his alma mater. That included showing a little love to the new Ohio State QB1, redshirt freshman Julian Sayin.

Despite being the lower-ranked team, the reigning national champion Buckeyes are slight 2.5-point favorites Saturday in its home opener, according to BetMGM’s sportsbook. That’s no surprise for Stroud, who expects Ohio State to run it back as back-to-back national champs, even while breaking in former Five-Star Plus+ recruit Julian Sayin as a first-time starter in 2025.

“I say we go all the way. I went up to practice last year and I got to see Julian Sayin and I thought he looked great. You know he’s a Cali kid, and we produce the best quarterbacks. So, I’m excited to see him play,” Stroud said Tuesday morning on ESPN’s First Take. “He may be rusty at first or have some nervousness. But I think once he gets warmed up, Coach (Ryan) Day is going to be calling it great, O-line is going to be blocking, running backs are going to be doing their thing, defense is going to be balling.

“So, when I go up there, I gotta check out Applebee’s and make sure I hit it up, make sure I get some good grub. It’s the NFL’s sponsor of the year, bar and grill, make sure everybody goes watch that commercial. Me, Dan Campbell and Ashton Jeanty went this summer and shot it and I thought it was a really great commercial.”

Stroud joined First Take to promote Applebee’s new promotion for its “Ultimate Trio” appetizers deal that includes the Texans QB, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell and Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. Applebees is offering customers three appetizers and three dipping sauces for $14.99.

Devin Gardner boasts about coaching Julian Sayin: ‘I’m just telling you, ultra talented’

Arch Manning is not the only new quarterback entering the spotlight Aug. 30 in Columbus. Ohio State will trot out Julian Sayin out there against Texas for his first career start. Sayin won the Buckeyes quarterback battle against Lincoln Kienholz, head coach Ryan Day recently announced.

Plenty of people are high on Sayin’s potential. But when a former Michigan quarterback starts to sing your praises, ears perk up a little more. Devin Gardner got a chance to see Sayin when he was in high school and to this day remains impressed with what the second-year player possesses.

“A little more on that Texas-Ohio State game, don’t forget Ohio State is breaking in a new quarterback, Julian Sayin,” Gardner said while calling Saturday’s Fresno State–Kansas game. “I’m just telling you, ultra talented. I remember coaching him at the Elite 11 and being very impressed with just his ability to make any throw. Obviously, there’s no defense and things like that. But very cool.”

Sayin played high school football at Carlsbad (CA), where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 8 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

— On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.