Alabama Quarterback Julian Sayin, the No. 1 QB in the 2024 Recruiting Class, Transferring to Ohio State

Julian Sayin, who signed with Alabama in December but entered the transfer portal Friday following Nick Saban’s retirement, is transferring to Ohio State, adding a potential future star quarterback to the Buckeyes’ roster.

“Incredibly excited to join the team here at Ohio State," Sayin told ESPN on Sunday. “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.”

A true freshman, Sayin still has all four years of his collegiate eligibility and will be eligible to play immediately in 2024.

Sayin finished the 2024 recruiting cycle as the No. 1 quarterback and No. 5 overall prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings, topping former Ohio State commit Dylan Raiola (who signed with Nebraska) to become the class’ top quarterback. The MVP of last year’s Elite 11 Finals, Sayin was considered by many to be the best pure passer in the 2024 class, demonstrating a consistent ability to throw the ball with accuracy and velocity to all areas on the field.

In his four-year career at Carlsbad (California) High School, Sayin completed 70.6% of his passing attempts (511 of 724) for 7,970 yards and 86 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions. He also showed the athleticism to extend plays and take off as a runner when needed, rushing for 605 yards and nine touchdowns across his four years.

The Gatorade California Football Player of the Year is the second quarterback to transfer to Ohio State this offseason, joining former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. While Howard is likely to be the Buckeyes’ starter this season, he is a fifth-year senior entering his final year of collegiate eligibility, setting Sayin up for a chance to win Ohio State’s starting job in 2025.

Sayin joins a quarterback roster that also includes fellow five-star freshman Air Noland, the No. 4 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class, as well as redshirt sophomore Devin Brown and redshirt freshman Lincoln Kienholz. That said, Ohio State wouldn’t be making the move to add Sayin – increasing the likelihood that it will lose some of its current quarterbacks to the transfer portal – if it didn’t view Sayin as a potential upgrade over those three.

According to Phillip Dukes of 247Sports, Noland has no intentions to leave Ohio State after the Buckeyes added Sayin to their roster.

I talked to @AirNoland_ a few mins ago. Ohio State fans hes not going anywhere. @Bill_Kurelic

— Phillip Dukes (@DukestheScoop) January 21, 2024

With Sayin’s transfer, three of the four composite five-star quarterbacks in the 2024 class – Raiola, Noland and Sayin – have now either been committed to the Buckeyes at one time (Raiola), signed with the Buckeyes (Noland) or transferred to the Buckeyes (Sayin).

Sayin becomes the third player to transfer to Ohio State from Alabama this offseason, joining former Crimson Tide safety Caleb Downs and center Seth McLaughlin. Ohio State also hired former Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who was involved in recruiting Sayin to the Crimson Tide, as its new offensive coordinator.

He’s the sixth overall player to transfer to Ohio State this offseason, also joining former Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins and former Ohio tight end Will Kacmarek.

Sayin becomes the 22nd overall prospect from the 2024 recruiting class to join the Buckeyes, joining the 20 players who signed with Ohio State in December as well as Dominic Kirks, who committed to the Buckeyes on Saturday.