In a surprising twist, Julian Sayin, the quarterback for Ohio State, finished fourth in the 2025 Heisman Trophy voting, a result that has left many questioning the decision. This snub comes despite Sayin being a strong contender throughout the season, particularly in a close race with Fernando Mendoza of Indiana, who ultimately took home the prestigious award after leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated season and a victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Also in the voting were Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame, who secured third place, and Diego Pavia from Vanderbilt, who finished second. Sayin”s performance, which included only eight first-place votes compared to Mendoza”s impressive 643, highlights the significant gap in perception among voters.
During the Heisman ceremony media day, Sayin”s experience was notably different from that of his peers. While Mendoza and Pavia were surrounded by reporters, Sayin found himself largely alone, fielding questions from just a couple of journalists. This seemed to reflect a broader narrative regarding the attention given to Sayin and the Buckeyes, despite their successful season.
Sayin”s statistics this year were remarkable. He completed 78.4 percent of his passes, putting him on track to potentially break the NCAA completion percentage record. Leading the FBS with a passer rating of 182.2, he amassed 3,323 yards, threw for 31 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. His efforts were instrumental in guiding Ohio State to a perfect 12-0 regular season, which included a significant victory over Michigan, earning the Buckeyes the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Sayin was not the only Ohio State player to feel slighted during this awards season. Jeremiah Smith, who won the Big Ten Receiver of the Year award, was overlooked for the national Biletnikoff Award, which went to USC”s Makai Lemon. Despite this, Smith managed to finish sixth in the Heisman voting, while safety Caleb Downs ranked ninth, making Ohio State the only school with three players in the top nine.
As a redshirt freshman and first-year starter, Sayin stands out as the only underclassman among the Heisman finalists. With an eye on the future, he is already considered a frontrunner for the award in 2026, as he is set to return to college football next season.
As the College Football Playoff approaches, Ohio State enters with a unique motivation. As the reigning national champions, they now carry the weight of perceived disrespect following the Heisman results. Sayin and his teammates are determined to channel this disappointment into a powerful drive for success. With a roster full of proven talent and championship experience, the Buckeyes are poised to remind everyone why they are among the elite in college football.
The path to another title is fraught with challenges, but Ohio State is ready to face them head-on, fueled by the desire to prove their worth and reclaim their place at the top of the sport.
