Ohio State fans and media got their first real glimpse of the 2025 team Saturday afternoon at Ohio Stadium when they played the annual spring game, which ended in a 50-31 win for Team Scarlet over Team Gray. Here are Buckeye Sports Bulletin’s three choices for those worthy of receiving Buckeye Leaves due to their performance on the afternoon.
Patrick Engels: It was a bit of a quiet spring for redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Sayin, but he certainly made his presence felt in the spring game by turning in by far the best performance out of any of the other three quarterbacks during the scrimmage.
Sayin showed exactly why most people familiar with the program regard him as the projected starting quarterback for the Buckeyes in 2025 from the start, leading the Scarlet Team to three consecutive scoring drives in the first half in his first three appearances. The former five-star didn’t do much on the first scoring drive, but he made several impressive throws and put great zip on his ball on the final two drives, including a laser down the seam to transfer tight end Max Klare that went for around a 20-yard touchdown.
Those three outings allowed him to finish with an unofficial stat line of 14 of 20 for 180 yards and one touchdown in just the first half, according to BSB alum and 247Sports reporter Steve Helwagen, an impressive outing that should be enough for him to be ‘QB1’ heading into the summer.
Bobby Gorbett: My Buckeye Leaf for Ohio State’s Spring Game is going to freshman safety Faheem Delane.
The former top-60 recruit introduced himself to the Buckeyes faithful by making an impressive interception of fellow freshman quarterback Tavien St. Clair.
On the play Delane read St. Clair’s eyes well and jumped in front of St. Clair’s intended target before returning the ball down to the 10-yard line.
Delane continued a solid debut performance by making a tackle in the second half. The Buckeyes’ freshman safety is projected to be behind safeties like Caleb Downs, Malik Hartford and Jaylen McClain, but his solid performance in the Spring Game could earn him more consideration for starting reps.
Greg Wilson: Sophomore wide receiver Mylan Graham seems like he could be the odd man out in the talented starting group of Ohio State wide receivers. The former five-star has had an impressive spring so far to likely earn himself some playing time if he is able to continue his performance into fall camp and the season.
He scored a long touchdown on a slant across the middle, running about 40 yards to complete the play by using his great speed to get around the remaining defenders in his way. Graham had no issues getting open the entire day when he was in the game, which could put him in line for more reps at the position when the season comes around.
