The college football world is already buzzing, and one particularly interesting storyline has emerged from the recent episode of the Downs 2 Business podcast. Former Alabama Crimson Tide commit turned Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin made waves when he named his old teammate, Alabama’s signal‑caller Ty Simpson, as his early favourite for the Heisman Trophy. The remark still carries weight, not just because of the award recognition, but because of the relationship and history between Sayin and Simpson, as well as the context of their college journeys.
On the podcast, Sayin was asked directly who he believed deserved to lead the Heisman conversation. Without hesitating, he said: “He’s a great dude. He’s a great player… I still text him today. So, I’m gonna go Ty. He’s having a great year.” tdalabamamag.com+2chatsports.com+2 That simple comment carries more than meets the eye, especially when you consider that Sayin and Simpson crossed paths long before either of them made their mark in college football. In their recruiting days, when Sayin visited Alabama, Simpson was his host. Sayin recalled: “So when I visited Bama, I visited a few times, and Ty was always my host.” tdalabamamag.com+1 That link — the off‑field bond, the familiarity — speaks to something deeper than a casual nod. It speaks to belief, respect, and perhaps even a friendly loyalty.
Sayin’s endorsement of Simpson as the leading candidate for college football’s most prestigious individual award is especially notable because it comes from someone who might very easily be seen as a rival this season. Sayin once signed with Alabama as an early enrollee, part of a vaunted recruiting class. But following the retirement of longtime Alabama coach Nick Saban, Sayin opted to transfer to Ohio State. SI+1 So here you have Sayin — a quarterback now chasing his own national‑stage rise at Ohio State — singing the praises of his former (in recruiting anyway) alma mater’s quarterback. In that sense, the endorsement has several layers: admiration of talent, acknowledgment of rivalry, and a nod of appreciation to a past connection.
Simpson, meanwhile, has indeed done plenty to justify such praise. Through a strong start to the season, he has posted numbers and shown poise commensurate with Heisman‑calibre players. According to one report, Simpson has thrown for more than 2,184 yards and 20 touchdowns so far in the season. Yardbarker+1 He is listed by multiple betting sites as a favourite to win the award. Yardbarker More importantly, his leadership and team success have also been noted: Simpson referenced his teammates and the championship tradition in an interview with Jim Rome. He said: “It would be a great opportunity … I wouldn’t be here if it wouldn’t for my teammates … I think back to the reason why I came to Alabama and the championship hallway that we have … and so that’s what I really care about, just trying to win, trying to be the best guy I can be.” Yardbarker That kind of mindset echoes what many Heisman winners bring to the table: not just gaudy stats, but leadership, team success and character.
For Alabama fans and college football observers alike, Sayin’s endorsement brings a fresh angle to the Heisman conversation. Rarely does a player at one top‑tier program publicly and wholeheartedly endorse a player at another top program – especially when both are quarterbacks and come from overlapping recruiting pipelines. It adds a human element to the awards race: beyond the numbers, there’s friendship, respect, and shared history. For Alabama supporters, it’s validation that their quarterback is being respected and believed in by peers. For Ohio State followers, it’s a signal that Sayin isn’t shy about acknowledging others even while trying to build his own legacy.
There are broader implications, too. The Heisman Trophy is often influenced not just by raw performance, but by narrative: the player leading a top team, the player who elevates his squad, the player whose story resonates. Simpson has compiled numbers, but with Sayin’s backing, his narrative gets another boost. He’s not only a statistically strong quarterback on a championship‑minded program, but someone his former counterpart picks out as the standout among all candidates. That clip from the podcast gives journalists, analysts and voters alike another storyline to chew on. Could Simpson’s trajectory be elevated by endorsements like this? Potentially yes.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the race is wrapped up. Heisman week is long, filled with twists, big performances, injury potential, and surprise breakout stars. Sayin may have picked Simpson, but as the season progresses the field will evolve, others will emerge, and attention will shift. But for now Simpson has a prominent supporter — and that matters in college football’s ecosystem. His performance will need to keep up with the hype: consistency, big‑game performance, leadership and connecting with the ‘why I deserve this’ sentiment. With Sayin’s commentary pulling a little more light in his direction, Simpson now has both the spotlight and the challenge.
For Julian Sayin himself the moment is telling. He’s in a new environment at Ohio State, rebuilding his narrative, establishing himself as a leader and signal‑caller. That he takes the time to highlight someone else’s candidacy rather than simply talk up his own speaks to something about his character and perspective. It bridges his past at Alabama with his present at Ohio State, shows that his journey has not severed ties, and signals that he remains grounded. It also suggests that he’s confident enough in his own trajectory to outright support someone else in the race. That is an intriguing takeaway for those watching Sayin’s own season: he’s not just chasing stats and spotlight, he’s situating himself in the larger context of college football narratives.
From a recruiting and program standpoint, this connection also reflects the shifting dynamics of top‑tier college football. Both quarterbacks were once very highly‑rated recruits, part of overlapping spaces, and now both are leading titanic programs in the sport: Alabama in the SEC and Ohio State in the Big Ten. The fact that Sayin once committed to Alabama, then moved on, but still acknowledges his hosting by Simpson and publicly supports him underscores how intertwined players’ paths are at the highest level. For fans, these off‑field relationships often go unnoticed but may influence perceptions, team culture, and rivalries in subtle ways.
Looking ahead, if Simpson keeps up his high performance level and mounts a serious Heisman campaign, Sayin’s endorsement will look prescient. If Simpson falters, then the comment will become a footnote – but even then it demonstrates the human side of the sport. In any scenario, it’s a moment worth noting. And for Sayin, each week his performance at Ohio State will also be scrutinised: can he live up to being a top signal‑caller too? His willingness to pick Simpson might also be read as setting a standard for himself: I believe in the best, and I’m aiming to be among that group.
In the end, what began as a casual question on a podcast has evolved into a meaningful talking point in the Heisman race. The Heisman is about being the best player in college football, but often equally about being seen as the best. Endorsements like this matter. Julian Sayin’s choice of Ty Simpson sends a message: “This is the guy I believe in right now.” For Simpson, that belief comes at a moment when the spotlight is already intense; for Sayin, it reflects maturity, perspective and connection. As the season marches on and narrative arcs crystallise, keep an eye on Simpson’s performance, but also recall this moment: when his old Alabama peer picked him out early for college football’s highest individual honour. It’s a story of friendship, competition, respect and expectation — and in the tapestry of college football, those threads often run as deep as any stat line.
