“Ah, this is the reason Julian Sayin decided to leave.”
In an unexpected turn in college football, freshman quarterback Julian Sayin’s transfer from Alabama to Ohio State has captured attention, largely influenced by Nick Saban’s retirement. Sayin, a highly ranked recruit, had been eager to play for Saban, but rethought his future after Saban retired in January, following Alabama’s Rose Bowl appearance.
Sayin, from Southern California, joined Alabama last December with the goal of playing under Saban. “We had a great relationship through the recruiting process,” Sayin said. “I loved Coach Saban. I really wanted to go play for him.” Saban’s role in building Alabama into a dominant force was a major factor for Sayin.
Saban’s unexpected retirement at 72 shocked many, including Sayin. “I would say we were caught by surprise,” Sayin noted, echoing the sentiments within the Crimson Tide.
Following Saban’s exit, Sayin reconsidered his options. The NCAA’s relaxed transfer rules allowed him to explore new opportunities, and with a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal, Sayin made his choice in just nine days.
“There was definitely a lot of emotions,” Sayin said, “but I had my family to lean on. They helped me through it, and I was able to make the right decision.”
By late January, Sayin had transferred to Ohio State, drawn by the school’s strong football tradition and its history of developing quarterbacks. “Really, I just wanted to be at a school with a great tradition, great quarterback history, and somewhere I could develop,” Sayin explained. His connection with Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who had previously tried to recruit him, also made the move appealing.
Bill O’Brien, Alabama’s offensive coordinator when Sayin committed, was another influence on Sayin’s initial decision. O’Brien’s shift to a head-coaching role at Boston College played a part in Sayin’s transfer. Nevertheless, Sayin quickly bonded with his new coach, Chip Kelly, who had strong ties to California from his time at UCLA before joining Ohio State.
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