Nick Saban offered words of advice for QB Julian Sayin in his quest to get the starting role at Ohio State.
Julian Sayin Draws Praise from Nick Saban Amid Ohio State QB Showdown
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is competing with Lincoln Kienholz to take over the signal-calling duties for the Buckeyes, and he’s got one legendary booster behind him – the legendary Nick Saban.
Nick Saban chats with @StephOtey on hitting the links with @ryandaytime and recruiting Julian Sayin pic.twitter.com/KeAlf9G8EW
— 97.1 The Fan (@971thefan) May 28, 2025
During a pause in the action last Wednesday, May 28, as he participated in the Workday Golden Bear Pro-Am golf tournament in Dublin, Ohio, the former Alabama head coach offered high praise for Sayin. “Julian’s a great young man,” Saban said, adding: “I think he’s getting bigger and stronger, but he’s got really good touch, really good accuracy, good judgment. He’s a really good young player.”
According to On3, Saban made Sayin one of his final signees in December 2023 before choosing to retire from coaching. Sayin then went to Ohio State, sitting behind then-starting quarterback Will Howard for the 2024 season. Sayin appeared in four games in 2024, completing five of 12 passes for 84 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
Ohio State coach Ryan Day (who was also at the Pro-Am tournament with Saban) has said that Sayin and Kienholz are the two in competition, although highly rated freshman recruit Tavien St. Clair may also get some reps. “Coach Day has been instilling in our quarterback room that you’ve got to be the toughest guys on the team, you’ve got to be the hardest workers,” Sayin said in an interview with 24/7 Sports.
“Ryan and I are pretty good friends and glad to see him win the national championship last year. I used to coach at Ohio State, so I’ve got a little Buckeye in me,” Saban said to Stephanie Otey of Ohio radio station 97.1 “The Fan”. He and Day were paired together in the pro-am tournament.
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Day has said that he plans to let Sayin and Kienholz battle it out into summer practices, so both can get a feel for his offense. Sayin does have an inside track to help the Buckeyes possibly repeat as national champions.
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