Nick Saban’s retirement was always going to create waves in the college football world, but now we’re seeing how big they can get. Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Julian Sayin entered the transfer portal after Saban’s departure, and the battle for his services commences.
Where will Sayin land? There are several great options.
Julian Sayin Landing Spots
Texas A&M Aggies
Former Crimson Tide wide receivers coach Holmon Wiggins played a huge role in getting Julian Sayin to Tuscaloosa, so the natural connection remains. Wiggins accepted a position as co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach with the Texas A&M Aggies, and he could make a big splash by getting Sayin to join him there.
With Collin Klein hired as the other co-offensive coordinator, the offense should benefit Sayin’s game. He’s more of a pro-style quarterback, and Klein’s system that he brings from Kansas State gives him elements of that. There’s still plenty of talent on the Aggies roster, too, so Sayin would be surrounded with options out wide.
The Aggies already have a couple of options at quarterback with Conner Weigman, Jaylen Henderson, and Marcel Reed, but Sayin might fit better in the new system. Even if he doesn’t challenge for the starting spot right away, he should for the 2025 season.
Georgia Bulldogs
Kirby Smart hasn’t been opposed to bringing in multiple quarterbacks in a class, and that applies here. The Georgia Bulldogs signed four-star Ryan Puglisi in their 2024 recruiting class, but adding Julian Sayin gives them another talented player to compete. The Bulldogs had plenty of interest in Saying coming out of high school and have much to offer.
The Bulldogs were one of the first schools interested in Sayin before he became a five-star recruit. Smart’s staff kept close with the talented quarterback throughout his high school career but came up short when he signed with Alabama. As a result, they might have the upper hand on other schools due to that history.
USC Trojans
Lincoln Riley knows how to coach quarterbacks, so the natural intrigue with the USC Trojans remains. The Trojans are in a transitional period with Caleb Williams gone, but all eyes turn towards Miller Moss for 2024. If he builds off his incredible bowl game performance, the Trojans are set, but there will be opportunities for others to challenge him.
USC’s staff also received a commitment from UNLV transfer Jayden Maiava this offseason, but that shouldn’t scare away Sayin. He has the talent to compete and will learn much from Riley if he chooses the Trojans. If there’s any interest in returning closer to home, USC would be high on Sayin’s list.
Miami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes received a huge boost towards their 2024 campaign when Cam Ward decided to forgo the NFL Draft and come to Mario Cristobal’s team. That being said, he’s a short-term option, and the Hurricanes don’t have proven options after he’s gone.
Cristobal knows how to get talent to come to campus, and he could do it again by getting Sayin to come out East. The combination of the former Alabama quarterback and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s system has a lot of promise and the Canes would give him a legitimate chance to start in 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ryan Day finds his program in limbo right now. Their struggles against the Michigan Wolverines lately are a concern, but Day is making changes to potentially fix those issues. He hired Bill O’Brien as the offensive coordinator, and that experience in the NFL could attract someone like Sayin.
O’Brien coached Bryce Young during his Heisman-winning season in 2021, too, so multiple things are going in the Buckeye’s favor. Ohio State has plenty of options in their quarterback room, but it wouldn’t hurt to add a talented player like Sayin to push everyone else.
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