Julian Sayin, a former Alabama quarterback, will attend Ohio State.
Julian Sayin, a former Alabama quarterback and the #1 quarterback prospect for ESPN in the 2024 class, said on Sunday that he would be moving to Ohio State.
Sayin registered on the NCAA transfer portal on Friday following Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s retirement. He is the best offensive prospect in his recruitment class and ranked third overall by ESPN for the Class of 2024.
He will take part in the Buckeyes’ spring practice and intends to enroll at Ohio State shortly. Sayin enrolled in Alabama and left in early January. Sayin’s entrance coincided with Saban’s retirement.
Sayin told ESPN on Sunday that he was “incredibly excited to join the team here at Ohio State.” “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.”
Sayin’s relationship with Bill O’Brien, the new coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Ohio State University, dates back to his high school recruitment. He also has experience working with the Ohio State staff. Sayin had enlisted O’Brien in his early recruiting efforts in Alabama. (O’Brien signed a 2023 contract with the Patriots; he was hired by Ohio State last week.)
Sayin thanked his family for their support, adding that he will be moving to a second place over a thousand miles away from Southern California in January, adding to his already busy schedule. In Carlsbad, which is close to San Diego, he played high school football.
“My family has been so supportive and sacrificed so much throughout my football journey,” he stated. “I’m so proud and grateful to share this moment with them.”
Sayin, who is entering his last college season, will join a talented quarterback room at Ohio State that features former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard, who brings 27 starts with his move.In the year 2024, Devin Brown will begin his third season, Air Noland his first, and Lincoln Kienholz his second. Kyle McCord, a starter the previous season, transferred to Syracuse.
Sayin’s arrival for the Buckeyes follows a huge offseason of change. The team lost to Michigan at the end of the 2023 regular season, which was their third straight loss to the Wolverines, and then lost to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl.
Three of the best players in the transfer portal have joined Ohio State: Sayin, two-time All-SEC tailback Quinshon Judkins, and rookie All-America safety Blake Downs. With Alabama center Seth McLaughlin, they also strengthened the offensive line.
Several players who were considered NFL draft prospects at the beginning of the 2023 season were also returning for the Buckeyes, including guard Donovan Jackson, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, and tailback TreVeyon Henderson.
Along the defensive line, ends J.T. Tuimoloau and Sawyer as well as tackle Tyler Williams return, while the surprising return of top cornerback Denzel Burke is encouraging for the secondary.
After beginning the previous season 11-0 for the second straight year, Ohio State finished 11-2. In the 2022 College Football Playoff semifinals, Ohio State was defeated by Georgia.
Sayin’s arrival gives Ohio State the unique advantage of having two elite freshman quarterbacks in the same class.
Sayin is the top dual-threat quarterback, and Noland is the No. 2 pocket passer and ESPN’s No. 31 overall recruit for 2024.
Sayin, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback, finished as the senior in high school in Carlsbad with 2,369 yards, 24 touchdowns, and just one interception. Before entering his senior year of high school, in 2023, he was named MVP of the Elite 11 finals.
85 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and 7,824 passing yards were his final high school stats.
On Tuesday, the University of Washington announced that Steve Belichick has accepted the position of defensive coordinator.
Belichick, a defensive assistant in New England for the last 12 years, including five as a defensive playcaller, is the son of former Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
The 36-year-old Steve Belichick previously worked as the quarterbacks coach for the Patriots in 2020 under newly appointed Washington head coach Jedd Fisch.
Last month, sources told ESPN that Steve Belichick and his defensive assistant brother Brian, who is also a Patriot, were given the chance to stay in New England under head coach Jerod Mayo.
However, Steve Belichick will instead work with Fisch, who this month inked a seven-year contract with the Huskies following Kalen DeBoer’s departure to take over as Alabama’s head coach, as part of a reorganized coaching staff in Washington.
The hiring of Belichick by Washington was initially revealed on Sunday by 247Sports.
According to a source who spoke with ESPN’s Field Yates, the Huskies are also bringing in former Patriots running backs coach Vinnie Sunseri to work with their safeties and secondary. Apart from his four seasons as a Patriots coach, Sunseri was Nick Saban’s assistant coach at Alabama.
