Julian Sayin’s route to Ohio State was fast, messy, and tied directly to one of the biggest coaching changes in modern college football.
The five-star quarterback signed with Alabama in December 2023, arrived on campus as an early enrollee in January 2024, and then hit the transfer portal days after Nick Saban retired. Sayin ultimately chose Ohio State and enrolled in time to take part in spring practice.
Key timeline (the quick version):
- Dec. 20, 2023: Sayin signs with Alabama during the early signing period.
- Early Jan. 2024: He’s on campus attending classes as an early enrollee.
- Jan. 10, 2024: Saban announces his retirement at Alabama.
- Jan. 19, 2024: ESPN reports Sayin intends to enter the transfer portal.
- Jan. 21, 2024: Sayin tells ESPN he’s transferring to Ohio State.
From Southern California star to a top QB recruit
Before the transfer drama, Sayin built a national profile at Carlsbad High School in California. Ohio State’s roster bio notes he finished his prep career with 7,824 passing yards and 85 touchdowns, and that he was the Elite 11 Finals MVP ahead of his senior season.
Gatorade’s Player of the Year site also highlights that he was the Elite 11 Finals MVP, and it lists his senior passing line at 2,369 yards and 24 TDs (with Carlsbad going 10-1).
On the recruiting services, he was consistently described as a unanimous five-star and widely viewed as the top quarterback in the 2024 class.
Why Sayin picked Alabama and what changed quickly
Sayin signed with Alabama on Dec. 20, 2023, and 247Sports reported he had already been in Tuscaloosa practicing with the team during the postseason buildup.
Then everything changed.
On Jan. 10, 2024, Alabama announced Saban’s retirement after 17 seasons. Shortly after that, Sayin’s situation went from “early enrollee in a stable powerhouse” to “brand-new era, new staff, and uncertainty at the most scrutinized position in the sport.”
ESPN reported on Jan. 19, 2024 that Sayin planned to enter the NCAA transfer portal in the wake of Saban’s retirement.
How Ohio State became the landing spot
Two days later, Sayin told ESPN he was transferring to Ohio State, with plans to enroll quickly and participate in spring practice.
One major connective thread: Bill O’Brien. Ohio State announced O’Brien’s hire as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on Jan. 19, 2024 — the same day the portal news hit. ESPN also noted Sayin had a prior relationship with O’Brien from the quarterback’s recruiting process.
Ohio State’s own roster bio sums it up plainly: Sayin signed with Alabama in December, attended classes there in January, entered the portal shortly after the start of classes, and transferred to Ohio State that same month.
What it meant for the Buckeyes’ QB room
When Sayin arrived, Ohio State already had veteran depth and a high-profile quarterback pipeline. ESPN’s transfer story pointed out he was joining a room that included Kansas State transfer Will Howard, plus Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, and freshman Air Noland.
That context matters for why his path is still such a popular fan question: Sayin didn’t just “flip” late in recruiting; he signed, enrolled, and then moved after a seismic coaching change, landing at a blueblood with constant quarterback pressure.
How Did Julian Sayin Get to Ohio State? His Path to the Buckeyes