Alabama Crimson Tide football faces another setback as freshman quarterback Julian Sayin has entered the NCAA transfer portal and is set to join Ohio State, according to ESPN. Sayin, a five-star quarterback ranked No. 3 nationally, made this decision shortly after the retirement announcement of head coach Nick Saban.
ESPN reports that Sayin’s transfer is attributed to his initial decision to play for Saban, and with Saban no longer coaching, Sayin seeks a fresh start at Ohio State. During his senior year at Carlsbad High School in California, Sayin showcased impressive stats, throwing for 2,369 yards, 24 touchdowns, and one interception. Despite having offers from Ohio State, LSU, and Texas, Sayin opted for Alabama after high school.
Excited about his move to Ohio State, Sayin expressed, “I held this program in high regard throughout my entire recruiting process and am looking forward to learning from some of the most talented players and coaches in college football and contributing to our team’s success.”
According to Thadd MacNeal, Sayin’s high school coach, Ohio State was a close second choice for Sayin during the initial recruiting process. Sayin values the quarterback-friendly approach of head coach Ryan Day and appreciates the development of quarterbacks at Ohio State, including co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline. The winning tradition and the opportunity to compete for a national championship played a significant role in Sayin’s decision to choose Ohio State, as he sees it as a program consistently in contention for the College Football Playoff.
