Ryan Day reveals Julian Sayin's recovery timeline for Ohio State

Ohio State coach Ryan Day said Thursday that injured quarterback Julian Sayin has a positive long-term prognosis.

Day spoke on his weekly radio show on 97.1 The Fan in Columbus.

Sayin injured his right throwing arm during Ohio State’s 19-15 win at Indiana on Oct. 17.

The 2025 Heisman Trophy finalist was hit while looking to throw a pass to his left in the fourth quarter.

The hit caused a fumble and injured his elbow.

Day initially said Sayin would be sidelined for several weeks.

The following week, Day amended that to indefinite and said the quarterback would likely miss the rest of the season.

Thursday’s update was the first detailed public comment since that change.

“All things considered — the outcome with different options that we were kind of going into the situation thinking it could be — I think this has been a decent outcome for us and for him,” Day said.

“We’ll let him kind of go through that. But this thing looks to be healing.”

Day made clear that a quick return is not realistic.

“It’s not going to be next week or next month,” Day said.

“It’s going to take some time, but I think certainly for the long term, we feel like we’re on a good track here.”

Sayin has completed 131 of 192 passes this season for 2,007 yards, 19 touchdowns and four interceptions.

He has also rushed for two touchdowns.

Last season, as a sophomore, he threw for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 14 games.

He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting that year.

Ohio State is 6-2 overall and 4-1 in Big Ten play.

The Buckeyes had a bye week after the Indiana game.

They returned to action Saturday and lost 30-18 at Southern California.

Luke Fahey, Sayin’s replacement as starter, was 21-of-38 passing for 260 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions in that game.

Fahey is a freshman who had not started a college game before the USC trip.

Ohio State was ranked No. 2 in The Associated Press poll before the Indiana game.

The Buckeyes fell to No. 12 in the initial College Football Playoff ranking announced Tuesday.

Ohio State plays host to No. 23 Oregon on Saturday.

The Ducks are 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the Big Ten.

Sayin traveled to California with the team for the USC game.

He was on the sideline in a sling during the loss.

He sat beside Fahey for much of the game.

After the loss, Sayin returned to Columbus with the team.

Day said Sayin has been active in team meetings and is helping Fahey prepare.

“It’s been good to have him in the meetings, having Julian around the team,” Day said, via Bill Landis of Cleveland.com.

“You talk through a play and say, ‘Jules, anything you can add,’ and sometimes he’ll say something. He’s got a good feel for that. He communicates well.”

Day emphasized that Sayin’s presence says something about his character.

“I think it’s important for him to be around the guys,” Day said.

“I think it says a lot about him that he’s not just off doing his rehab or whatever. He’s with the team, and he takes his role very seriously.”

Sayin had gone back to his home state of California after the initial injury.

He returned to Columbus after the USC loss and has been with the team since.

The long recovery timeline means Sayin is unlikely to play again this season.

That includes any potential postseason games.

Ohio State is still in contention for a College Football Playoff berth despite the loss to USC.

The initial CFP ranking placed the Buckeyes at No. 12.

The top 12 teams make the playoff field.

Day said the team is treating the rest of the season as a playoff run.

“Starting the playoff season right now,” Day said on his radio show.

Fahey will continue as the starter for the Oregon game and beyond.

Day expressed confidence that Fahey will settle down after his first start.

“Luke is confident he’ll settle down after the first start,” Day said.

The Oregon game is a critical test for the Buckeyes’ playoff hopes.

A second conference loss would likely eliminate Ohio State from Big Ten title contention.

It would also weaken the Buckeyes’ at-large playoff resume.

For Sayin, the focus is on rehabilitation and long-term health.

The injury involves his throwing elbow.

Day did not specify the exact medical diagnosis.

He did say that the outcome was better than some of the options the medical team had considered.

That suggests surgery was discussed as a possibility.

Day’s phrasing — “different options that we were kind of going into the situation thinking it could be” — implies that the injury could have required a more aggressive intervention.

Instead, the current plan is to let the injury heal naturally over time.

Sayin’s long-term future includes a decision about the NFL.

As a junior, he is eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft.

His 2025 season, when he finished fourth in Heisman voting, established him as a potential early-round pick.

His 2026 season, before the injury, was statistically strong but shorter due to the injury.

If Sayin returns to full health, he will have a decision to make.

He could enter the draft or return to Ohio State for his senior season.

Day’s update suggests that the recovery is on track for a full return to football activity.

The timeline — not next week, not next month — points to a spring or summer 2027 return to full throwing.

That would allow Sayin to participate in spring practice if he stays in school.

It would also allow him to throw at pro day workouts if he enters the draft.

The Buckeyes’ 2027 season will depend heavily on Sayin’s decision.

If he returns, Ohio State will have a Heisman-caliber quarterback leading the offense.

If he leaves, Fahey will have a full season of starting experience and will be the favorite for the job.

For now, the team is focused on Oregon.

Day’s radio show appearance covered both the injury update and the preparation for the Ducks.

The Oregon game kicks off Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

The Buckeyes are favored despite the loss to USC.

Ohio State’s defense will face Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a Heisman contender in his own right.