Eric Boggs
Julian Sayin is set to be the future of Ohio State football, but a lingering question remains—what if he had stayed at Alabama? The talented quarterback, who transferred to the Buckeyes following Nick Saban’s retirement, is now poised to take over Ryan Day’s high-powered offense in 2025. However, if Saban had remained in Tuscaloosa, there’s a strong belief that Sayin would have been the starter for the Crimson Tide in 2024.
According to reports, Ohio State’s coaching staff has been extremely high on Sayin since his arrival. His accuracy, arm strength, and ability to read defenses make him an ideal fit for Day’s offensive system. While Lincoln Kienholz has made it clear that he will stay and compete for the starting role, Sayin is the favorite to win the job heading into next season.
But the intrigue around Sayin’s potential extends beyond Columbus. Alabama’s 2024 season under new head coach Kalen DeBoer was tumultuous, with Jalen Milroe leading an offense that struggled to maintain the dominance that Tide fans are accustomed to. Milroe finished the season with 2,844 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while leading the team in rushing—a testament to both his playmaking ability and the team’s struggles in the run game. Alabama’s three losses, including a stunning defeat to Vanderbilt, ultimately kept them out of the College Football Playoff.
Many believe that had Saban stayed, he would have made a move similar to his 2018 National Championship decision, when he benched Jalen Hurts at halftime in favor of Tua Tagovailoa. In that game, Alabama came back to defeat Georgia 26-23 in overtime. With Alabama’s offense sputtering in 2024, it stands to reason that Saban would have turned to Sayin, just as he had done with Tua years before.
DeBoer, on the other hand, never made a change at quarterback, sticking with Milroe despite the team’s struggles. If Sayin had remained on the roster, would DeBoer have given him a chance? That remains one of the biggest “what if” scenarios of the season.
Now, Sayin has a chance to write his own legacy at Ohio State. With a strong supporting cast and a coaching staff that believes in him, he is in a prime position to lead the Buckeyes into the future. As Ohio State looks to defend its national championship, all eyes will be on Sayin to see if he can live up to the expectations that have followed him since his high school days.
For Alabama fans, the question lingers—did the Crimson Tide miss out on their next great quarterback? And for Buckeye Nation, the excitement builds as Sayin prepares to take the field in scarlet and gray, ready to prove that he is the right man for the job.
