The Heisman Trophy ceremony came and went last weekend, with Indiana's Fernando Mendoza taking home college football's most prestigious individual honor. For Carlsbad High alum Julian Sayin, the Ohio State Buckeyes' poised and talented quarterback, the stiff-arm trophy will have to wait—at least for now.
But make no mistake—Carlsbad's native son isn't losing sleep over it.
Sayin finished fourth in the Heisman voting with 432 points and eight first-place votes, a remarkable showing for a sophomore signal-caller. More importantly, he's made it clear all season: individual awards are nice, but his ultimate dream is hoisting the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy with his Buckeye teammates.
A Breakout Season in Columbus
In his sophomore campaign as Ohio State's starting quarterback, the former Carlsbad High School standout has delivered exactly what Buckeye Nation hoped for. Sayin has taken command of Ryan Day's high-powered offense, completing an impressive 78.9% of his passes while turning heads with his arm talent, composure under pressure, and playmaking ability.
From clutch performances in crucial Big Ten matchups to leading the Buckeyes into playoff position, Sayin has proven he belongs among the elite signal-callers in the country. While the Heisman voters ultimately crowned Mendoza, Sayin's body of work throughout the season positioned him as one of the nation's premier quarterbacks.
Now, with the College Football Playoff in full swing, Sayin and Ohio State have bigger business to handle. The defending national champions are positioned for a legitimate run to repeat, and a second consecutive title would mean far more to the young QB than any individual hardware.
The Road Ahead
No. 2 Ohio State is preparing for their College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup on December 31st against the winner of Texas A&M and Miami. As the defending champions, the Buckeyes enter the playoff with high expectations and the experience of winning it all last season.
For Sayin, this postseason represents an opportunity to add to his growing legacy while leading his team toward the ultimate prize.
Future Heisman Favorite?
At just 20 years old and with eligibility remaining, Sayin is only getting started. His fourth-place Heisman finish as a sophomore puts him in excellent position for future consideration. History shows that many of college football's greatest quarterbacks claim the Heisman in their junior or senior seasons following strong sophomore campaigns.
With Sayin's elite arm talent, football IQ, and the weapons around him in Columbus, he's already positioned as one of the early favorites for next year's Heisman race. If Ohio State reloads on offense and remains a playoff contender, the gaudy stats that catch voters' eyes will follow naturally.
San Diego Pride
Here at the San Diego Football Network, we're incredibly proud to watch one of our own shine on the biggest stage. From dominating Friday nights at Carlsbad High to leading the Scarlet and Gray, Julian Sayin's journey is a testament to the talent this region produces.
Whether he brings home another national title this season or claims a Heisman in the future (or both), Sayin is making San Diego proud every time he steps on the field. His poise, talent, and team-first mentality embody everything we celebrate about San Diego Football.
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