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On3 predicts Ohio State's starting quarterback for Texas' week one game versus the Buckeyes

Joe Cookby: Joe Cook07/02/25josephcook89
Julian Sayin by Mick Walker -- Lettermen Row --
Julian Sayin (Mick Walker/Lettermen Row)

History repeats itself.

Ahead of a 2023 game at Alabama, the Texas Longhorns entered Tuscaloosa with a sense they’d see Jalen Milroe starting at quarterback. But after Milroe, Tyler Buchner, and Ty Simpson all earned reps the week prior against Middle Tennessee, the Longhorns had to be ready for Nick Saban to put someone other than the former Katy Tompkins star under center if the GOAT went against prevailing wisdom.

Ahead of a 2024 game at Michigan, the Texas Longhorns knew they’d see one of two players under center in Ann Arbor. Sherrone Moore put both Davis Warren and Alex Orji on the field the week prior against Fresno State, so Texas needed to be ready to see two players with very different skill sets on the turf at Michigan Stadium.

Ahead of a 2025 game at Ohio State to open the season, the Longhorns know the main options for Ryan Day‘s team. The battle to succeed Will Howard features junior Lincoln Kienholz and redshirt freshman Julian Sayin.

Though the final call will be made by Day in preseason camp, On3’s Pete Nakos offered his prediction for who lines up under center come week one.

Behind the scenes, leading into spring practice, sources were high on Julian Sayin’s quick release and arm. But the former five-star recruit had an up-and-down spring camp, struggling at times. He also had one of his best practices during the spring game, finishing the day 17 of 24 passing for 175 yards and a touchdown. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has already come out and said this is a two-horse race between Sayin and Lincoln Kienholz. And at times, Kienholz, the rising junior, has looked like the better of the two. The Buckeyes’ starting quarterback battle will carry over into fall camp and be a top headline ahead of the Week 1 showdown with Texas.
Starting QB Projection: Julian Sayin

Sayin was the On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 8 overall prospect in the 2024 class and signed with Alabama. He entered the portal after Saban’s retirement and transferred to Ohio State, sitting behind Howard and Devin Brown last year. In limited appearances, he was 5-for-12 for 84 yards and a touchdown.

Kienholz made several brief appearances but did not record any stats in 2024. In the 2023 season, his most extended action was in the Cotton Bowl versus Missouri. Splitting reps with Brown, Kienholz was 6-for-17 for 86 yards in the loss. He also logged six rushes for two yards.

Texas knows who its quarterback will be come August 30, as Arch Manning will enter Ohio Stadium as the starter for Steve Sarkisian‘s Longhorns.

[Order THE LONGHORN ALPHABET: Your little Longhorns can know about famous plays like Roll Left!]

The battle between Texas and Ohio State will be the centerpiece of week one’s slate of games, and the intrigue at quarterback in Columbus could be one of the top storylines entering the titanic affair.

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