DataGut 717

Ohio State commit Legend Bey is a playmaker Runs a 10.23 100 meter

Since we keep getting hammered with mentions about Sayin, here's where we stand with him: - Sayin is one of the best QBs in recent memory within 20 yards. The speed of his release is uniquely good, and his placement is elite. We've always maintained this. - The thing we questioned early on was whether Ohio State would have an effective deep ball. At the time OSU was 98th in throws of 20+ yards. That hasn't changed a ton, as they went into today 91st in that statistic. - But, Ohio State really came on starting with the Minnesota game with deep throws. They had thrown 10 passes going into today of 40+ yards, which was 7th nationally. - The complication is about depth. Ohio State had only thrown 11 passes between 20-40 yards coming into today. That's only one more than Auburn, or two more than Wisconsin, and tied for 120th nationally. - Alabama has thrown 28 passes of 20-40 yards (11th nationally) but just 5 of 40+ yards (65th nationally), so a completely different profile. - Today continued that trend, as Ohio State hit 3 more 40+ yard passes, but only 1 pass between 20-40 yards. - Ultimately the OSU passing game is a combination of tons of elite throws underneath 20 yards, and a high volume of shots over coverage with lots of air to their elite WRs (which Day has said is intentional), with very few throws attacking seams at or underneath safety depth. - This may be a sustainable, high-level passing attack. The ultra high efficiency in short passes certainly seems something that can scale. And Alabama would kill for Ohio State's efficiency level when they take shots over deep coverage. - The one thing that remains open is the question of whether Ohio State can maintain a deep passing game if/when they play a defense who can rush the passer and play coverage sufficient to prevent throws beyond coverage. This may be something they don't even need to do, especially with Tate and Smith whipping DBs. - Regardless, this is all very much nitpicking a QB who is ultra-efficient otherwise. But it's a very similar passing profile to Bo Nix two years ago (same QB Rating and same yards/attempt) and he encountered scaling issues to end the year. When evaluating playoff games vs top-10 defenses, it's at least an open concern.