The appeal was Nick Saban.
When Julian Sayin enrolled at Alabama last December, he envisioned playing for Nick Saban, the legendary coach who had built the Crimson Tide into a modern dynasty.
“We had a great relationship through the recruiting process,” Sayin said, “and I loved Coach Saban. I really wanted to go play for him.”
Aug 1, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) runs between drills during football camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex.
In a matter of weeks, the plans changed. Saban retired in early January, informing players soon after their return from the Rose Bowl.
Though Saban was 72, the second-oldest coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the decision sent a shock through the Crimson Tide facility.
“I would say we were caught by surprise,” Sayin said.
Sayin, a southern California native who had been the top-ranked quarterback recruit in his high school class, reevaluated the situation. The easing of the NCAA’s transfer regulations made it possible for him to look elsewhere.
Following a coaching change, players have 30 days to put their names into the transfer portal, the online database that allows them to contact other schools.
Sayin needed only nine.
“There was definitely a lot of emotions,” Sayin said, “but I had my family to lean on. They helped me through it, and I was able to make the right decision.”
He settled on Ohio State, transferring to the school later that month, a move he revisited Tuesday as the Buckeyes were going through their first week of preseason training camp.
“Really, I just wanted to be at a school with a great tradition, great quarterback history, and somewhere I could develop,” Sayin said.
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-freshman-quarterback-julian-sayin-181621983.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2024-08-06 18:16:21
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