Julian Sayin
Ohio State#9 overallDraft Movement
Down 2 spots since Jun 8
Scouting Report
Julian Sayin is the headlining quarterback of the 2027 NFL Draft class after one of the most efficient debut seasons in modern Big Ten history. A consensus five-star from Carlsbad (CA) and the No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class per ESPN, 247Sports, On3 and Rivals, Sayin originally signed with Alabama and enrolled early in January 2024 before transferring to Ohio State following Nick Saban's retirement. He redshirted behind Will Howard during the Buckeyes' 2024 national title run, then won the starting job in 2025 and led the country in completion percentage at 77.0%, throwing for 3610 yards with 32 touchdowns against only 8 interceptions on 9.2 yards per attempt. He finished fourth in Heisman voting, was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and was a finalist for both the Maxwell Trophy and the Davey O'Brien Award. Physically he is undersized at 6-1 and 208 pounds without elite arm strength, but his processing, anticipation, ball placement and quick release are unusually clean for a passer with only 14 collegiate starts. Sayin is a timing-and-rhythm distributor whose floor is dictated by accuracy and pre-snap manipulation rather than raw traits. NFLDraftBuzz and PFSN currently project him as a top-of-class option for 2027 with the safest profile in the group, best suited to a West Coast or spread-concept offense that prioritizes rhythm, play-action and efficient short-to-intermediate throws.
Strengths
- Led FBS in completion percentage at 77.0% in 2025 on 9.2 YPA showing accuracy was not propped up by screens
- Lightning-quick release with compact mechanics that fit timing-based NFL passing concepts
- Elite anticipation on in-breakers and seam shots that splits safeties and attacks the middle of the field
- Aggressive willingness to test tight windows downfield instead of checking down
- Mentally tough operator who won the starting job after one year on campus and finished 4th in Heisman voting
- Plus athlete with twitch to elude rushers and extend plays without abandoning structure
- Sharp pre-snap processor with high football IQ trusted at one of the highest-pressure programs in college football
- Pinpoint ball placement on short and intermediate throws that maximizes YAC for receivers like Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate
Weaknesses
- Undersized at roughly 6-1 and 208 pounds with below-average pocket height for the position
- Arm strength is good enough rather than elite which can flatten out the deep ball into hospital throws
- Aggressive mentality occasionally produces low-percentage downfield decisions and avoidable interceptions
- Only 14 career starts entering 2026 leaves a thin sample relative to his draft buzz
- Lost back-to-back postseason games to Indiana and Miami in 2025 and did not deliver a Big Ten title with an elite roster
- Will need to prove he can win games when forced off script rather than purely operating within structure
- Frame raises durability and play-strength questions at the next level
NFL Comparison
Bo Nix (undersized timing-based distributor with accuracy and processing); Brock Purdy (rhythm thrower whose anticipation outweighs arm grade); Tua Tagovailoa (compact lefty-style accuracy and quick release in a smaller frame)
College Stats
2024 Ohio State (RS): 4 G 5/12 84 yds 1 TD 0 INT; 2025 Ohio State: 14 starts 301/391 3610 yds 32 TD 8 INT 77.0% comp 9.2 YPA plus 42 rush att for -44 yds
Measurables
Awards & Honors
2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year; 2025 Heisman Trophy 4th place; 2025 Maxwell Award finalist; 2025 Davey O'Brien Award finalist; 2023 Elite 11 MVP; 2023 Gatorade California Player of the Year; consensus five-star and No. 1 QB in 2024 recruiting class (ESPN/247/On3/Rivals)