Julian Sayin reveals reasons for leaving Alabama after Nick Saban retired
Julian Sayin played football for Alabama for a few practices in California.
Prior to the squad’s debut in the Rose Bowl semifinal of the College Football Playoffs versus Michigan, the former five-star quarterback, who committed to the Crimson Tide in the 2024 recruiting class, enrolled early and joined the team for practice.
The coaching staff at Alabama gave him high marks right away.
“Julian is an outstanding player,” Nick Saban said. “The ball comes out of his hand real nice. He’s accurate. He’s smart. He’s had a great high school career and been one of the best players, most productive players in the country on a very consistent basis and we like him a lot.”
After a few weeks, everything was different. After entering a meeting, Saban announced to the Tide that he was leaving his position as football coach.
Sayin, one of the nation’s most sought-after quarterback prospects, was taken aback.
“It was definitely a little surprising,” Sayin told AL.com Saturday in Atlanta, as his current Ohio State team prepares to play in the national championship on Monday.
Greg Bryne, the athletics director of UA, selected Kalen DeBoer to succeed Saban after he retired. Sayin went into the transfer portal shortly after.
He explained that decision on Saturday.
“I just didn’t really have a relationship with them,” Sayin said. “Just felt like I should enter the portal and ended up at a great spot here.”
He landed at Ohio State, a choice based mostly on head coach Ryan Day
“Coach (Chip) Kelly wasn’t actually here when I committed, but coach Day and the way he’s always been able to develop quarterbacks,” Sayin said of that decision process. “Just wanted to be part of that.”
Sayin has been supporting Will Howard in Columbus during his first year. During the 2024 season, he played in four games, including a cameo in OSU’s victory over Tennessee in the playoffs.
The Carlsbad, California native has five completions on 12 tries, good for 84 yards and a touchdown, going into the championship game. Similar to Saban, Buckeye offensive coordinator Kelly responded to a question on the young player’s potential ceiling.
“As high as he wants it to be,” Kelly told reporters in Atlanta. “I think he’s a tremendously talented player. He’s got a great work ethic. We’re excited about him. He came in early so he got spring ball with us. Did a good job in preseason camp.”
Sayin will have a chance to win the starting job for Ohio State next season. Kelly said he expects the QB group in spring football to include Sayin, Lincoln Kienholtz and incoming freshman Tavien St. Clair.
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