Nick Saban shares regrets over failure to give Julian Sayin a chance at Alabama
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Nick Saban certainly made more good decisions than bad during his run to seven national championships as a college football coach.
But Saban, who is retiring from Alabama after the 2023 season, recently reflected on the sorry attitude of Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin during his time with the Crimson Tide. during the latest edition of ESPN’s “College GameDay.” Saban criticized him a few seasons ago for not giving Sayın a chance to shine.
“I guess one point I wanted to make about Mr. Julian was that he was at Alabama.” Saban said. “And the coach at Alabama had him on the scout team for a year. How stupid…”
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Nick Saban speaks during ESPN’s College Game Day at Vanderbilt University on October 25, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Carly Mackler/Getty Images)
Sayin enrolled early at Alabama but entered the transfer portal in January 2024, right after Saban announced his retirement.
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Sayin threw just 12 passes in 2024, but he had the best performance of his first season as the Buckeyes’ full-time starter this year. The redshirt freshman had 1,872 passing yards and 19 touchdowns in Ohio State’s first eight games this season.
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on before the SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs on December 2, 2023 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. (John David Mercer/USA TODAY Sports)
Saban’s moment of self-deprecation occurred just steps away from Ohio Stadium, as the College GameDay team visited Columbus for the Buckeyes’ game against Big Ten rival Penn State.
Ohio State improved to 8-0 with a 34-14 win over the Nittany Lions on Saturday. Penn State has lost five straight.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) throws a pass during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio Stadium. (Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Before Mr. took over the starting duties, WIll Howard quarterbacked Ohio State to the College Football Playoff National Championship last season. The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ohio State visits Purdue next week.
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