Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, a Heisman Trophy finalist last season and the only returning finalist from 2025, was left off On3’s newly released list of the top 10 quarterbacks to monitor heading into the 2026 college football season.
The list, published Saturday by On3 and compiled by national reporter Pete Nakos, ranked Indiana’s Josh Hoover first, followed by South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Miami’s Darian Mensah, Baylor’s DJ Lagway, Oklahoma’s John Mateer, LSU’s Sam Leavitt, Michigan’s Bryce Underwood, Texas’ Arch Manning, Texas Tech’s Will Hammond and Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed.
Sayin’s absence immediately drew attention among college football observers, given his production and status as a preseason Heisman contender.
In 2025, the redshirt sophomore from Carlsbad, California, completed 77 percent of his passes for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns with eight interceptions while leading the Buckeyes to a 12-0 regular season.
That completion percentage ranked first nationally and stood as the third-highest single-season mark in FBS history.
Sayin finished fourth in Heisman voting, earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and helped Ohio State reach the College Football Playoff before losses in the Big Ten championship game and the Cotton Bowl.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day has repeatedly praised his quarterback’s development and potential.
“We feel like we have the best quarterback coming back in college football next year,” Day said earlier this year.
Day has also highlighted Sayin’s accuracy, intelligence and leadership.
“I think for Julian, you look for some traits that are extraordinary about him,” Day said at Big Ten media days. “I think the first thing you recognize is his accuracy. What you don’t see, but I see, is his intelligence level. He can handle high levels of information. He’s highly, highly motivated. He’s really embraced this leadership role.”
Day noted the rarity of having a returning starter at the position under his tenure.
“This is only the third time since I’ve been at Ohio State that we’ve had the same quarterback come back for a second year, and that’s a big deal,” he said.
Other rankings this offseason have placed Sayin among the nation’s elite.
Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt ranked him third overall entering 2026, behind only Oregon’s Dante Moore and Manning. Greg McElroy of ESPN listed Sayin first in his top 10 earlier this year. The Athletic placed him in its top tier of quarterbacks.
On3 itself recently noted Sayin as the early Polymarket favorite to win the 2026 Heisman Trophy.
The On3 “to monitor” list appears focused on quarterbacks facing high expectations, recent transfers or questions entering fall camp rather than a pure ranking of the best players. Several names on the list, including Underwood and transfers such as Mensah and Leavitt, fit that description.
Manning, a high-profile returner, also made the cut despite mixed results in his first full season as Texas’ starter.
Sayin enters the year with three seasons of eligibility remaining and is expected to benefit from a veteran offensive line, returning skill-position talent and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, a former NFL play-caller. Ohio State opens the season Sept. 5 against Ball State before a road trip to Texas.
Day has expressed confidence that Sayin is positioned for further growth after gaining weight and refining his mobility in the offseason.
“Julian is going to have a huge offseason,” Day said. “Julian is really going to dive into this thing and take the next step.”
Whether the omission from the On3 list fuels extra motivation remains to be seen, but the Buckeyes’ quarterback has already established himself as one of the most accurate and productive passers in the country.
Fans and analysts will watch closely to see if Sayin answers any perceived slight with another strong campaign in Columbus.
