Biggest QB Concerns for the Buckeyes?

Ohio State enters the 2026 season with Julian Sayin firmly established as its starting quarterback, but that does not mean every question has been answered.

Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss the biggest concerns surrounding the Buckeyes’ quarterback room, beginning with Sayin’s effectiveness as a runner. Can he make the correct reads, protect the football, escape pressure, and provide enough of a rushing threat to keep opposing defenses honest?

They also examine the debate over Sayin’s willingness to attack the middle of the field, whether that concern has been overstated, and how Ohio State’s receiving personnel could influence where the football goes. Plus, could Sayin become too reliant on Jeremiah Smith, and how concerning is the Buckeyes’ lack of proven experience behind him?

0:00 — Welcome to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast
0:42 — Introducing the biggest quarterback concerns
1:14 — Concern No. 1: Julian Sayin and the quarterback run game
2:26 — How much does Ohio State actually need Sayin to run?
4:44 — What Will Howard’s rushing numbers can tell us
5:39 — Concern No. 2: Attacking the middle of the field
6:53 — Has the middle-of-the-field concern been overblown?
9:10 — Does Ohio State have the receivers to produce inside?
10:23 — Concern No. 3: Becoming too focused on Jeremiah Smith
10:58 — Why throwing frequently to Smith still makes sense
12:55 — The lack of proven experience at backup quarterback
14:16 — The Buckeye Insiders community
15:12 — Final thoughts

What is your biggest concern about Ohio State’s quarterback room? Let us know in the comments.

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