Recruiting insider logs prediction for Ohio State to land Alabama 5-star transfer Julian Sayin

Ohio State already has a top-three class in the 2024 On3 Industry Football Team Recruiting Rankings, which includes one of the nation’s best passer in Air Noland.

But the Buckeyes could be on the verge of adding another huge piece to their quarterback room very soon. Ryan Day and Co. weren’t a factor the first time around for Five-Star Plus+ QB Julian Sayin when he signed with Alabama. But after he enrolled with the Crimson Tide earlier this month and then entered the NCAA Transfer Portal following Nick Saban’s retirement, the Buckeyes shot to the top of his list.

“Sources have said Ohio State and USC will be two early teams to watch as he wades through college football’s free agency. The Buckeyes are viewed by many as the team to beat in this portal race,” wrote On3’s Pete Nakos earlier this week.

And now, predictions have started flying in for the Buckeyes to land Sayin, the nation’s No. 1-ranked quarterback in 2024, as a transfer.

On Saturday, Ohio State recruiting insider Alex Gleitman logged a prediction in favor of the Buckeyes to add Sayin.

“I now feel the intel is strong enough about Ohio State not only pursuing Sayin, but that the Buckeyes are the clear favorite and top choice of the San Diego area product,” Gleitman wrote in making his prediction. “A decision timeline is unknown, but it’s more likely than not that a commitment to a program comes in the very near future so Sayin can enroll at the school of his choice in time for winter workouts and then spring practices.”

Sayin has connection to new Buckeyes OC Bill O’Brien

While Ohio State didn’t pursue Sayin heavily the first time around in his recruitment, the recent hiring of Bill O’Brien as their next offensive coordinator made them an immediate contender once he went into the transfer portal. The longtime NFL head coach and offensive coordinator’s most recent stop at the college level was at Alabama, where he helped recruit Sayin for some time. Despite O’Brien leaving the Tide for the 2023 season to head back to the New England Patriots, there is familiarity there.

Ohio State has restructured its quarterback room this offseason, with Kyle McCord leaving and Kansas State transfer Will Howard coming. The Buckeyes also have an early enrollee at quarterback, high four-star Air Noland. How adding Sayin would impact Noland’s future remains to be seen. Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz are also in the quarterback room.

What Julian Sayin brings in his game

As a senior at Carlsbad this past winter, Sayin threw for 2,347 yards, 24 touchdowns and just one interception on 158 of 212, finishing with a 74.5% completion percentage. He also rushed for 186 yards and four more scores while leading Carlsbad to its fifth straight Avocado League title.

The nation’s No. 5 overall quarterback in his class, Sayin initially picked the Tide over Georgia and LSU. At 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, he’s impressed with his quick motion and release which pairs with a strong deep ball. He’s also shown the ability to navigate the pocket and throw on the run. He was named the On3 MVP at the Elite 11 Finals and OT7 Finals before his senior season.

“Julian is an outstanding player,” Saban said last month. “The ball comes out of his hand really nice. He’s accurate, he’s smart. He’s had a great high school career, and he’s been one of the best players, most productive players in the country on a very consistent basis. We like him a lot.”

As a transfer, Sayin is ranked No. 4 overall and the No. 1 quarterback in the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings.