Troy Smith calls on Julian Sayin to replace Will Howard in the second half against Penn State

Ohio State legend Troy Smith He didn't like the QB play for the Buckeyes on Saturday and was hoping to see a true freshman Julian Sayin in the second half.

And that despite the Buckeyes leading 14:10 at halftime Penn State. Starting quarterback Will Howard was 10 of 15 passes for 118 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

So it was certainly an odd tweet from Smith, a Heisman Trophy winner. But perhaps Smith wanted to see a change in the middle or a spark. We'll see what the second half brings, which is what Smith alluded to.

“(Julian Sayin) … I hope to see him in the second half,” Smith wrote.

Smith quote tweeted another account saying, “Game over if Howard doesn't fumble.” Inexcusable fumble.”

However, Smith later deleted the first tweet and sent a follow-up tweet.

Regardless of whether Smith wants Sayin or Howard, there's no question that he's consistently committed to Ohio State the way he still plays.

Sayin only appeared in two games this season, completing five of seven passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.

As a member of the class of 2024, Sayin was a five-star-plus recruit Carlsbad (California) High, according to On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that takes into account all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 2 quarterback in the class and the No. 8 overall prospect in the class.

Sayin was a popular candidate Bryce Underwood is at the moment. The prospect of 2025 could require a gigantic NIL deal.

Smith responded to Michael Thomas, a graduate of Ohio State University, who tweeted about Underwood and tagged him with Ohio State's NIL collective.

“(Ohio State sign Tavien St. Clair) better, but (Julian Sayin) elite,” Smith wrote on Twitter.

Head coach Ryan Day said earlier this season that reps are certainly important for backup QBs. He compared it to an NFL depth chart.

“When you look at NFL rosters that play as many games as they play — now almost as many as we'll play,” Day told On3's Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman. “It’s not always the top guys you’re talking about. I mean, they change their squad all the time, like in the bottom 10 to 15%. Now, if someone gets hurt (in college), you can't just sign someone off the waiver.

“Everyone is involved. It's the fourth-string running back, it's the third-string left guard. … Getting all of these people represented is going to be important because you can't just sign someone off a waiver. This is also important for training, it is important for morale. I’m glad we did it right in the first few games and you guys are bringing us.”