Biggest concerns: Julian Sayin’s lack of mobility could limit Ohio State’s offense
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From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about our Biggest Concerns. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our Biggest Concerns here.
Quarterbacks in today’s college football are, more often than not, more than just gunslingers. They do more than just drop back, sit in the pocket, go through their progressions, and find the open receiver.
Oftentimes, you’ll see quarterbacks rolling out of the pocket to extend plays or eventually run with the ball if the play breaks down. Sometimes, plays are designed for the quarterback to run with the ball.
We’ve seen quarterbacks at Ohio State fit the aforementioned description of a dual-threat. Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett, and Justin Fields were all dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks who could make plays through the air and on the ground. The Buckeyes’ offense in those years was more dynamic because of them.
Ohio State had a good offense last year… but it could have been better. Julian Sayin had a terrific season throwing the football. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for running the football.
Sayin had 42 rushes last year. They went for -44 yards, which of course includes yards lost on sacks.
Sayin making plays with his legs, or lack thereof in this case, shouldn’t be a big concern. If the Buckeyes had been able to lean on their running backs in running the football and/or had a better offensive line, two things would be true. One, Sayin’s lack of rushing yards wouldn’t be an issue. Two, Sayin probably would run more.
Ohio State’s offensive line is a question mark coming into this season. Can they block up front? Will they pave the way for Bo Jackson and the running back room to have open lanes?
Russell Wilson was one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL during the prime of his career. It wasn’t because he was accurate and threw for a bunch of yards and touchdowns; It was because he could mask a subpar offensive line with his ability to make plays, either throwing off-balance or running for yards and first downs.
In today’s game, great quarterbacks are measured by their ability to make plays outside the pocket, and their rushing yards are taken into account more than before. That’s why Sayin’s rushing numbers are a big concern.
Sayin also struggled on quarterback sneaks. That should raise some red flags.
Sayin is going to have to make plays on the ground this season. There’s just not a lot of confidence that the offensive line is going to hold up in pass protection. If the pocket collapses, is Sayin going to be able to play outside of the pocket?
For a quarterback as accurate as he is and who relies on that, he’s going to have to get better at being accurate playing on the run and throwing off-balance. It’s how the quarterback position has evolved at all levels of football.
The Buckeyes’ offense will be good this season. After all, we know what Jeremiah Smith and Julian Sayin can do. But the Buckeyes’ offense can raise its ceiling if Sayin can add to his game.
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