Exploring Potential Landing Spots for Julian Sayin in the Transfer Portal
The winter transfer portal in college football has closed, but the rule allowing players to enter if a coaching change has been made has had a significant impact on the Alabama Crimson Tide roster and new coach Kalen DeBoer. One notable departure is Julian Sayin, the No. 1-ranked QB in the 2024 ESPN 300. This shakeup not only affects the current portal but also has implications for future QB recruiting decisions in 2025.
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State seems like a logical choice for Sayin. The new offensive coordinator, Bill O’Brien, was the first to offer and recruit Sayin while at Alabama. The Buckeyes’ current QB options, Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz, have not proven themselves, making Sayin an attractive prospect. With the addition of transfer Will Howard and four-star recruit Air Noland, the QB room in Columbus could quickly clear out, leaving Sayin with a chance to compete for the starting job in 2025.
USC Trojans
Under coach Lincoln Riley, USC presents a perfect skill/scheme marriage for Sayin. The Trojans’ offense is designed to spread the defense thin horizontally, utilizing a heavy guard/tackle counter run game and quick passing game. Sayin’s skill set aligns with Riley’s preferences, and he could thrive in this system, similar to how Baker Mayfield excelled at Oklahoma.
UCLA Bruins
UCLA’s offense, led by coach Chip Kelly, is highly desirable for quarterbacks. Despite losing QB coach Ryan Gunderson, the Bruins’ scheme, which combines RPO plays with a power run game and various shifts and motions, remains attractive. Sayin’s football IQ and decision-making ability make him a good fit for this system.
Texas Longhorns
Although it may seem unlikely with Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning in the mix, Texas could present an intriguing opportunity for Sayin. If Texas can offer a plan to increase depth and compete immediately after a redshirt year, coupled with Steve Sarkisian’s successful offensive scheme, Sayin should consider this option. Sarkisian’s offense is known for setting up playmakers, and Texas has added several top transfers since Saban’s departure.
UCF Knights
UCF’s transition into the Big 12 and the addition of bridge player KJ Jefferson from Arkansas make them a team worth considering for Sayin. Coach Gus Malzahn’s history of offensive production emphasizes the importance of an athletic quarterback, making Sayin a potential fit in this scheme.
Clemson Tigers
Clemson is in need of quarterback talent and depth. With Cade Klubnik set to move on soon, the Tigers’ offensive coordinator Garrett Riley runs a similar scheme to his brother at USC. This presents an excellent opportunity for both sides to elevate Clemson back to College Football Playoff contention.