5-Star QB Julian Sayin Makes Shocking Transfer Decision—College Football Reels

Lead-in Sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin has officially won Ohio State’s three-way competition and will start the 2025 season opener against Texas in Columbus, head coach Ryan Day confirmed Monday. Why This Matters • Sayin, a former five-star recruit who transferred from Alabama after Nick Saban’s retirement, is the highest-rated quarterback to start a season for the Buckeyes since C.J. Stroud. • The decision stabilizes the defending national champions less than two weeks before their marquee clash with Texas. • Sayin will try to snap Ohio State’s four-game skid against arch-rival Michigan and keep the program in playoff contention. From Tide to Buckeye: A Rapid Rise Sayin enrolled at Alabama in early January 2024 but entered the transfer portal within days of Saban’s surprise exit. Ryan Day pounced, landing a quarterback who threw for 2,369 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior at Carlsbad (Calif.) High School. After sitting behind veteran transfer Will Howard during the 2024 title run, Sayin impressed throughout spring practice and fall camp with his accuracy, pocket poise and command of OSU’s pro-spread scheme. How He Won the Job 1. Consistency in scrimmages – coaches charted fewer turnover-worthy plays than rivals Lincoln Kienholz and freshman Tavien St. Clair. 2. Deep-ball touch – Sayin completed 14-of-18 throws of 30+ yards in closed practices, per team analytics staff. 3. Leadership – veterans praised his “Saban-like” film habits, a trait Day said “set the tone for the entire offense.” What the 2025 Offense Looks Like • Weapons: Heisman hopeful WR Jeremiah Smith, slot dynamo Carnell Tate, All-Big Ten TE Jelani Thurman. • Protection: All-America LT Luke Montgomery anchors a line returning four starters. • Scheme tweak: Expect more RPO and designed rollouts to maximize Sayin’s mobility (4.65-second 40). Key Dates on Sayin’s Proving Ground Aug 30 – vs Texas (non-conference blockbuster) Oct 11 – at Wisconsin (first true road start) Nov 1 – vs Penn State (Big Ten East swing game) Nov 29 – at Michigan (“The Game” could define his legacy) Early NFL Buzz Scouts who attended OSU’s open practice in early August clocked Sayin’s release at 0.38 seconds, comparable to Bryce Young. If he excels, the 6-1, 203-pounder could jump into 2027 first-round conversations. Quote of the Day “Julian’s preparation was elite. When the locker room believes in a guy, the decision becomes easy,” Ryan Day told reporters. Bottom Line Ohio State’s championship window remains wide open, but it now hinges on Julian Sayin translating five-star promise into on-field production. A primetime debut against Texas offers the perfect stage to show the college-football world—and NFL scouts—that the Buckeyes chose the right signal-caller.