By admin 
Julian Sayin’s family group chat was blowing up. A video of the Ohio State quarterback, a highly touted Heisman Trophy candidate, had gone viral after a classmate recorded him introducing himself during an online sports marketing class in the first week of school. The assignment: share wellness habits. Instead of launching into his impressive athletic credentials, Sayin kept it remarkably low-key, striving to be just another normal college student. "My name is Julian Sayin, I just prefer Julian," he began, his voice calm and measured. "My major is sport industry. I wouldn’t really say I want to change too much about my physical activity – I feel like I have a pretty good routine, I’m pretty active, I play sports. And one interesting thing about me is I love to play golf and I love playing pickleball."
The video’s rapid spread across social media was fueled by Sayin’s casual demeanor, a trait his family recognized instantly. "It’s very Julian," his older brother, Aidan Sayin, shared with a chuckle. "He’s not going to give you much detail, but just be humble and to the point. We all had a good laugh. The ‘I prefer Julian’ line was hilarious, but that’s just him. We joke that [his humor is] similar to Larry David. We always watch ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm,’ and say he sort of emulates that same character." This inherent lack of ego, a stark contrast to the typical persona expected from a central figure in the college football universe, is precisely what endears Sayin to those who know him. He actively tries to fly under the radar, never revealing his identity unless it’s already known. The video resonated with fans, who flooded the social media comments section with praise.
"The video itself encapsulates a lot about him," Aidan elaborated. "He’s not concerned with the spotlight. To be honest, he doesn’t even like it. Whenever we’re out and about in Columbus, he keeps his hat on, his head down, and just wants to get his a— bowl." This aversion to the limelight has been a consistent trait for Julian, shaping his approach both on and off the field. It’s this grounded perspective that many believe contributes to his effectiveness as a player. As he heads into his second season as the starting quarterback for the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes, a team with national championship aspirations, Sayin will need to maintain this level head. The Buckeyes face a demanding schedule, with their first major test coming against Arch Manning and the No. 4 Texas Longhorns in a highly anticipated Week 2 matchup.
‘It Always Came From Within’
Julian Sayin is the youngest of four siblings, all high achievers in their own right. Despite being the starting quarterback for the No. 1 team in the country and a leading Heisman Trophy contender after a fourth-place finish last season, Sayin is driven by a desire to emulate the accomplishments of his older siblings. "I think he was always kind of scrappy and trying to follow along," his mother, Karen Brandenburg, reflected. "I don’t know how to describe it – it’s kind of like, ‘Don’t think you’re all that.’" This sentiment of humility and a refusal to rest on laurels appears to be a family ethos.
His eldest sister, Bailey, forged her own path, playing soccer at the University of Chicago before pursuing art at the Cambridge School of Art in England. His sister Jocelyn, after earning a degree in data analytics from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, became deeply involved in Julian’s burgeoning career. She accompanied him on college visits to LSU and Ole Miss and now, alongside their mother, manages Julian’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and marketing deals. Jocelyn has furthered her own academic pursuits, earning a master’s degree in sports management from Ohio State and is currently working towards her doctorate. Aidan, the second eldest, was a standout football player at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with honors from the Wharton School. He went on to play professionally for the Columbus Aviators of the UFL and is now exploring opportunities to continue his football career in Japan or Europe.
When asked if the environment created by her and her husband, Dan, influenced their children’s ambition, Brandenburg paused thoughtfully. She describes herself as Type A, while Dan is more laid-back. She speculates that perhaps it began with Bailey, who displayed an early determination to play for top soccer teams, a drive that may have permeated down to her younger siblings. "I don’t know," Brandenburg admitted, "But it always came from within. We didn’t have to push. We never had to say, ‘You’ve gotta go to practice.’ They just always sought after things on their own, which made parenting really easy. We’ve been really lucky that they push each other." This intrinsic motivation is a recurring theme when discussing the Sayin children.
The family’s aversion to excessive praise is another shared trait. When Jocelyn was nearing the completion of her master’s program, Brandenburg suggested attending her graduation. Jocelyn’s immediate response was a firm rejection: "No, no. When I get my doctorate, we’ll go to graduation." Julian mirrors this sentiment. The only feedback he truly values, whether positive or negative, comes from his coaches and teammates. Even a simple email from an Ohio State fan in Dayton expressing admiration for his performance felt out of place to him.
‘On To The Next’
Thadd MacNeal, who coached both Julian and Aidan at Carlsbad High School near San Diego and maintains a close relationship with the family, witnessed Julian’s remarkable humility firsthand at Ohio State’s 38-14 victory over Penn State last year. During the post-game press conference, reporters inquired about Julian’s exceptional passing statistics: an 87% completion rate on a near-perfect 20-of-23 passes, accompanied by 316 yards and four touchdowns. "And he literally said, ‘Well, that’s because I have great protection, because my receivers catch every ball, and they’re so productive,’" MacNeal recounted. "It’s always deflecting to other people. That’s just how he operates."
This pattern of deflecting praise and focusing on the collective effort is deeply ingrained. Even after winning the prestigious Elite 11 high school quarterback competition in June 2023, where he outdueled Dylan Raiola, then the top-rated quarterback recruit in the 2024 class, Julian declined his mother’s offer of a celebratory dinner. Instead, he opted to play in a tournament approximately 30 minutes away. This anecdote surfaced during one of Julian’s visits to Alabama, while he and his family were meeting with then-head coach Nick Saban. Julian had initially enrolled at Alabama in January 2024, but Saban’s abrupt retirement on his first day of classes prompted Sayin to enter the transfer portal and ultimately commit to Ohio State.
Recalling the conversation in Saban’s office, Brandenburg said, "Nick [Saban] said, ‘Hey, I heard you won Elite 11.’ And Julian’s like, ‘Yeah.’ And I said, ‘I tried to take him out to dinner and celebrate.’ Nick just looked at Julian, and Julian goes, ‘On to the next thing.’ And Nick Saban’s like, ‘Yeah, that’s one thing. On to the next.’" This exchange perfectly encapsulates Julian’s forward-thinking, process-oriented mindset. "That attitude, Brandenburg said, is part of what makes Julian different. ‘I don’t know what made him that way,’ Brandenburg added. ‘But it’s good. It keeps us grounded, too. There’s always the next thing. I’m really trying to learn from him.’"
‘Calm And Locked In’
These self-effacing yet driven traits serve Julian exceptionally well on the football field. He possesses an innate calmness in high-pressure situations, refusing to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the stage. His performance in the season opener against Ball State was a testament to this composure. He completed an efficient 21-of-25 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Buckeyes to a dominant 56-3 victory before being substituted midway through the third quarter. Notably, he also scored his first collegiate rushing touchdown on a fourth-and-goal play, extending Ohio State’s lead to 21-0 early in the second quarter.
"He seems even more relaxed and confident this year," Brandenburg observed. "He’s very calm and locked in." Last season, his inaugural year as a starter, Julian showcased remarkable consistency, completing 77% of his passes and averaging 27.9 attempts per game, a rate that led the nation. He amassed 3,610 passing yards, with 32 touchdowns against only eight interceptions, guiding the Buckeyes to a 12-2 record and significant victories over Texas and Michigan. Their season concluded with losses to the eventual national champion Indiana in the Big Ten title game and the runners-up Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal. The year prior, Julian gained valuable experience as the backup to Will Howard, appearing in four games and completing 5-of-12 passes for one touchdown on an Ohio State team that ultimately secured the national championship.
These accumulated experiences have been instrumental in Julian’s development as a player. The offseason saw him transform his physique, emerging stronger and more poised. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day remarked at Big Ten Media Days that Sayin is now carrying himself with "a different look in his eye," indicating a heightened level of confidence and maturity.
Buckeyes center Carson Hinzman has also noticed the change. "I mean, that dude can roll now," Hinzman told reporters last month. "When he’s talking in the huddle, the confidence he has. Being able to zip that ball, you hear it literally whistle behind your ear, and it gives us confidence to have a quarterback who can go out there and have a little bit of swagger about him." This newfound swagger, coupled with his established humility, creates a compelling on-field presence.
Regardless of the outcomes this season – whether Julian secures a Heisman Trophy, the Buckeyes falter against Texas, or they navigate an undefeated path – his core mindset is unlikely to waver. It has been his guiding principle throughout his athletic journey. "I think sometimes bravado or being the star quarterback works, too," Aidan conceded. "But for the most part, teammates want to see someone who is about the team and isn’t all about themselves. He’s just about playing football. He doesn’t care what else goes along with it. He just wants to play football and do his best this week." Julian Sayin’s preference for "Julian" and his unwavering humility are not just personal quirks; they are the bedrock of his success and the qualities that make him a truly exceptional leader for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
