Ohio State makes big move by landing Alabama transfer QB

Nov 17, 2012; Madison, WI, USA; A Ohio State Buckeyes helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 21-14 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The Ohio State Buckeyes are benefiting in a big way from Nick Saban’s retirement.

Five-star quarterback Julian Sayin, who had previously committed and enrolled early at Alabama, is transferring to Ohio State, his high school head coach confirmed Sunday. Sayin is already getting set to start classes in Columbus ahead of what will be his freshman year.

Carlsbad High School coach Thadd MacNeal, Sayin’s prep coach in Southern California, told Greg Biggins of 247 Sports that Sayin enrolled at Alabama to play for Saban, and while Sayin has no issues with the new staff, he wanted a coaching staff he was more comfortable with. Sayin was heavily recruited by Ohio State before committing to Alabama.

“They were actually No. 2 for him,” MacNeal said of the Buckeyes. “They were actually a close second and he visited at least two times that I know of. He loved Ryan Day and the offense and how quarterback-friendly he is.”

Ohio State’s new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien actually made an initial scholarship offer to Sayin while O’Brien was still at Alabama as well.

The Buckeyes have already brought in a veteran quarterback for 2024, so Sayin will likely be a backup in 2024, potentially as a redshirt. He does profile as the long-term quarterback, as he was the top-ranked recruit at the position in his class.