Former Alabama QB, top 2024 recruit Julian Sayin commits to Ohio State

One of the top players and best quarterbacks of the 2024 signing class has quickly found a new home after a short stint at Alabama. Freshman quarterback Julian Sayin has committed to Ohio State in a major win for the Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day.

Sayin, who signed and enrolled early at Alabama before entering the transfer portal after Nick Saban’s retirement, is likely to sit for at least at year at Ohio State while Kansas State transfer Will Howard starts for his final year of eligibility. Sayin’s presence also means two quarterbacks from the 2024 class for Ohio State, as the Buckeyes already inked Air Noland to the group.

Sayin played high school football at Carlsbad (Ca.) High School, where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall quarterback prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking.

Noland, for comparison, is the No. 41 player in the 2024 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

More on Ohio State’s 2024 transfer haul

The biggest moves the Buckeyes have made under Day this offseason have been to retain current stars, notably on defense. But the transfer portal has seen Ohio State add some big pieces.

Howard, as the presumed starting quarterback, looms the largest. But beyond signal caller, Ohio State’s done well to accentuate the roster, keeping the portal additions limited but hitting big swings. The biggest of those swings is former Ole Miss star running back Quinshon Judkins, who will be running behind former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin. Tight end Will Kacmarek from Ohio rounds out the additions.

Day and Co. haven’t been going whole hog to rebuild a roster as others have, with returners and recruits providing more than enough talent and depth at most positions. That’s freed them up to be more targeted in addressing needs in the portal, both now and for the future, in the cases of Howard and Sayin.

And with another top quarterback in tow in Columbus, Day and his offensive machine should keep rolling on for years to come.