COLUMBUS, Ohio — Julian Sayin has demonstrated remarkable efficiency in his inaugural season as Ohio State’s starting quarterback, though his performance against Illinois appeared to take a slight dip. In Ohio State’s 34-16 victory, Sayin threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns, marking a decrease in output compared to his season averages. He completed 70% of his passes, which is lower than the impressive percentage he maintained prior to the game.
Despite this, Sayin was recognized as the highest graded player by Pro Football Focus (PFF) for the matchup, earning a commendable score of 92.0. This achievement not only highlights his standout performance but also makes him the top quarterback in the country for Week 7. He was the only offensive player in the game to achieve a grade above 80, underscoring his pivotal role in the team’s success even amidst a less explosive showing.
PFF employs a grading scale from 0 to 100 to assess player performance, where higher scores reflect superior play. To clarify, scores are categorized as follows: 100-90 for elite, 89-85 for Pro Bowl caliber, 84-70 for starters, 69-60 for backups, and anything below 59 is considered replaceable.
The grading details for the rest of the Ohio State offense reveal varied performances across different positions. Here’s how the key players graded out:
– **Quarterback:** Julian Sayin: 92.0 (65 snaps)
– **Running Backs:** CJ Donaldson: 65.5 (31 snaps), Bo Jackson: 61.5 (20 snaps), Isaiah West: 57.8 (3 snaps), James Peoples: 52.0 (34 snaps)
– **Wide Receivers:** Carnell Tate: 69.6 (50 snaps), Jeremiah Smith: 67.4 (50 snaps), Mylan Graham: 64.2 (8 snaps), Brandon Inniss: 57.7 (34 snaps)
– **Tight Ends:** Nate Roberts: 74.8 (8 snaps), Max Klare: 64.6 (36 snaps), Jelani Thurman: 63.8 (9 snaps), Will Kacmarek: 62.5 (43 snaps), Bennett Christian: 40.2 (20 snaps)
– **Offensive Line:** Joshua Padilla: 67.5 (14 snaps), Austin Siereveld: 66.4 (65 snaps), Carson Hinzman: 64.8 (65 snaps), Phillip Daniels: 62.0 (65 snaps), Luke Montgomery: 58.9 (65 snaps)
As the season progresses, Sayin’s ability to consistently perform under pressure will be crucial for Ohio State’s quest for success. His high PFF grade suggests he is well-regarded not just for his passing, but for his overall decision-making and impact on the game. This could bode well for both Sayin and the Buckeyes as they continue their campaign.