QB Julian Sayin is a Heisman Trophy Finalist
12/8/2025 8:10:00 PM | Football
Ohio State’s seventh finalist in last eight years; leads the nation in completion pct. and quarterback rating
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Red-shirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, who has guided Ohio State to a 12-1 season to date and to the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoffs, has been named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. The announcement of this year’s four finalists was broadcast on ESPN Monday evening. The finalists class includes Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love, Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia in addition to Sayin.
Sayin, from Carlsbad, Calif., and Carlsbad High School, is the seventh Ohio State finalist since 2018 and the 10th finalist since 1982, the year the Heisman Trophy Trust started inviting finalists to New York City to take part in the live broadcast that accompanies the announcement of the winner. This year’s Heisman Trophy winner will be announced live on ESPN as part of a one-hour show Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.
No. 1 in the Nation
Sayin has led the nation all season long in completion percentage (78.4 pct.) and passing efficiency (182.05). His current completion percentage eclipses the all-time NCAA record of 77.4 percent by Oregon’s Bo Nix in 2023.
Sayin is tied for the most games this season – five – with at least 300 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. He also is tied for the most, nationally, this season with 11 touchdown passes of at least 30 yards.
In addition, Sayin is T2nd with 30 touchdown passes, 5th at 9.3 yards per attempt, 11th with 3,329 passing yards and 19th at 255.6 passing yards per game.
7 Heismans
Ohio State has seven Heisman Trophy winners to rank in a tie for second-place all-time with Notre Dame and Oklahoma. USC leads with eight Heisman Trophy winners.
Ohio State’s Heisman Trophy Winners and Finalists
2025 – QB Julian Sayin
2023 – WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
2022 – QB C.J. Stroud
2021 – QB C.J. Stroud
2019 – QB Justin Fields and DE Chase Young
2018 – QB Dwayne Haskins
2006 – QB Troy Smith*
1996 – LT Orlando Pace
1995 – RB Eddie George*
1984 – RB Keith Byars
1975 – RB Archie Griffin*
1974 – RB Archie Griffin*
1955 – HB Howard “Hopalong” Cassady*
1950 – HB Vic Janowicz*
1944 – HB Les Horvath*
*Heisman Trophy Winner
