Julian Sayin finishes fourth in Heisman voting, turns snub into playoff fuel

Christian Standal

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Julian Sayin finishes fourth in Heisman voting, turns snub into playoff fuel image

In what could be the start of a back-to-back championship run for Ohio State in the College Football Playoff, one Buckeyes star left the Heisman Trophy ceremony feeling overlooked.

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin finished fourth in the voting for the 2025 Heisman Trophy, despite being viewed by many as neck-and-neck with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza for much of the season. Mendoza ultimately won the award after leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated year and defeating Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love finished third in the voting, while Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia placed second. Sayin received only eight first-place votes compared to Mendoza’s 643, showing just how wide the final voting gap became.

 

The weekend was filled with moments that showed how little attention Sayin and Ohio State received. During media day at the Heisman ceremony, Sayin often sat alone with only one or two reporters asking him questions. Meanwhile, finalists from Indiana and Notre Dame were surrounded by media members just feet away. It was a quiet scene for a quarterback who had just completed one of the best seasons in the country.

 

Sayin earned his spot as a finalist by putting together one of the most efficient seasons college football has seen. He completed 78.4 percent of his passes, a number that puts him on pace to break the NCAA completion percentage record. He led the FBS with a 182.2 passer rating while throwing for 3,323 yards, 31 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. Sayin also led Ohio State to a perfect 12-0 regular season, including the Buckeyes’ first win over Michigan since 2019, earning the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff.

Sayin was not the only Buckeye who felt snubbed during college football’s biggest awards week. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who won the Big Ten Receiver of the Year award, was passed over for the national Biletnikoff Award. The honor instead went to USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, another Big Ten player. Despite the snub, Smith finished sixth in Heisman voting, while safety Caleb Downs placed ninth. Ohio State was the only school with three players in the top nine.

Sayin, a redshirt freshman and first-year starter, was also the only underclassman among the Heisman finalists. He is the only finalist set to return to college football next season, making him an early favorite to compete for the award again in 2026.

As the College Football Playoff begins, Ohio State enters with more than just talent. The Buckeyes are the defending national champions, and they now carry a chip on their shoulder. Sayin and his teammates have heard the noise, seen the snubs, and felt the lack of respect. That type of motivation can be dangerous in the postseason. With a proven roster, championship experience, and a quarterback eager to make a statement, Ohio State has a chance to turn frustration into fuel. The road to another title will not be easy, but the Buckeyes know what it takes to win, and they are ready to remind everyone why they sit at the top of college football.

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Contributing Writer