Julian Sayin Takes Lead in Heisman Talk as Experts Disagree

Ohio State fans are arguing every week about who should win the Heisman Trophy — quarterback Julian Sayin or wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. It has become one of the biggest debates of the season. The discussion even feels similar to Alabama’s famous 2020 race between DeVonta Smith and Mac Jones. With only a few weeks left before the regular season ends, experts still don’t agree. But one Michigan great says the answer is obvious.

On November 14, former Michigan tight end Jake Butt spoke on a podcast and strongly supported Julian Sayin. He said Sayin should be the clear favorite for the Heisman. According to Butt, “No one’s playing the quarterback position better than Julian.” Even though Sayin is only a redshirt freshman, Butt said he plays with maturity and calmness.

Butt pointed to one play against Penn State where Sayin showed his impressive skill. In the first quarter, his running back missed a block and a defender came straight at him. Instead of panicking, Julian Sayin turned his hips quickly, set his feet, and threw a perfect pass. Butt joked that he moved almost like Michael Jackson on the play. He believes most college quarterbacks would have been sacked there.

Julian Sayin’s accuracy is another reason Butt thinks he is special. He once compared Sayin to an Olympic archer because of how precise he is. The stats prove it. Sayin leads the entire country with an amazing 80.9% completion rate. He also has 2,491 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and only four interceptions — and two of those picks weren’t even his fault.

Butt also mentioned two more plays that stood out. Against Purdue, Julian Sayin rolled out and created just enough space to throw a 45-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith. Then against Penn State, he saw Smith double-teamed before the snap but still threw a 54-yard pass over the defense. Butt called it “54 yards of air” and said Sayin is the best quarterback in college football right now.

Still, none of this means Jeremiah Smith isn’t great. And Urban Meyer agrees with that. On his Triple Option podcast earlier this week, the former Ohio State coach chose Smith as his Heisman pick. Meyer called him “the best football player in the country.” Smith has had a strong season with 862 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 65 catches.

But some analysts wonder if Smith can put up the historic numbers needed for a wide receiver to win the award. Former Alabama star Mark Ingram said Smith would need a season like DeVonta Smith’s 2020 run, which included 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. With only a few games left, Ingram thinks that type of jump is unlikely.

Urban Meyer put Julian Sayin third on his Heisman list but admitted that if voters treat the Heisman as a quarterback award — which often happens — then Sayin should win. With just over a month until the ceremony, the Heisman race in Columbus is still wide open. Soon we’ll know whether it’s Sayin, Smith, or maybe even both heading to New York City.

Also Read: Nick Saban Ends LSU Rumors but Says Tigers Still Tough