2024 4-star QB Julian Sayin commits to Alabama: 'It's the standard of college football'

Carlsbad (Calif.) four-star quarterback Julian Sayin visited Alabama on Oct. 22. LSU held a close lead for his commitment heading into the trip, but the tables turned in Tuscaloosa.

“Before the visit, LSU was kind of leading and then I had the visit,” Sayin told On3. “It was a really great visit.”

During his day-and-a-half with the Crimson Tide, Sayin spoke with head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. They told him, “This is where you want to come play quarterback.” Sayin thought about that message a lot.

It ended up being one of the reasons he committed to Alabama on Wednesday, choosing the Crimson Tide over Georgia and LSU. Sayin is now the fourth member of Alabama’s 2024 recruiting class.

“You think of the consistency, the standard,” said Sayin, the No. 14 overall prospect and No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 On3 Consensus. “The track record with quarterbacks, with winning games, draft picks, it’s the standard of college football.”

Bill O’Brien played an important role in Sayin’s commitment

Sayin built a strong relationship with O’Brien throughout his recruitment. The top-15 prospect was impressed by O’Brien’s time in the NFL, which included stints as the head coach of the Houston Texans and offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots.

According to Sayin, O’Brien told him he would be pushed on the field if he chose Alabama. O’Brien also emphasized that they would work and learn together to produce wins on Saturdays. That stood out to the California native.

“The things he can be able to teach me about protections, everything that he knows about NFL systems and stuff like that, is going to be a big help to me,” Sayin said. “I’m excited to get into that.”

Sayin called O’Brien “really easy to talk to.” The four-star added that their conversations were “businesslike” because they revolved around football, which he liked.

Sayin is excited to chase ‘excellence’ at Alabama

Prior to his announcement, Sayin spoke with O’Brien multiple times. He also called LSU’s staff.

“It was a really tough decision,” Sayin said. “With the relationship I have with LSU, notably the coaching staff there, I’m really comfortable with them, so it was definitely a tough decision. You can see the future at LSU with what they’re building and it’s somewhere that is definitely gonna be back on top soon. But Alabama, with coach Saban, he’s gonna hold you to the highest standard and that’s what I want to be a part of.

“I want to go somewhere where I’m gonna get coached hard, but they’re gonna expect excellence.”

Committing to Alabama achieved an important goal for Sayin. He wanted to play at the highest level of college football and will now get that shot in Tuscaloosa, where more than 100,000 people pack Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Sayin is eyeing a visit back to the Crimson Tide for the Iron Bowl on Nov. 26. It depends on whether his high school qualifies for the state playoffs, which is his top priority right now.

“I’m definitely glad to get it off my shoulders,” Sayin said of his commitment. “I definitely just want to focus on my team now. We’re trying to win a championship.”