Alabama QB Julian Sayin plans to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal

Alabama quarterback Julian Sayin is planning on entering the transfer portal after just enrolling earlier this month.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel shared a report on that news this morning.

Sayin played high school football at Carlsbad (CA) where he was a Five-Star Plus+ prospect. He was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle. That’s according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He finished as the No. 1 QB in the class and the top overall player out of California.

Sayin signed with Alabama back on December 20th and then began participating during bowl practices. He was the crown jewel of the Crimson Tide’s upcoming recruiting class that finished at No. 2 in On3’s 2024 Industry Team Rankings. He was the top prospect of the group and one of two five-stars alongside CB Jaylen Mbakwe.

Sayin is the latest transfer loss for the Crimson Tide in the aftermath of the coaching change in Tuscaloosa. Their total number of portal entries this cycle, on top of their additional 30-day window, is pushing closer to 30 with this update regarding Sayin. The team has already lost some top talent such as S Caleb Downs and OT Kadyn Proctor among several others. It now appears they’re losing their next class’ prospects as well with Sayin joining CB Jameer Grimsley as signees that have hit the portal.

To this point, Alabama only has four portal additions. That includes just one since the news of the retirement of Nick Saban. That commitment came from QB Austin Mack on Thursday after he played for Kalen DeBoer back at Washington.

The Tide’s quarterback room for next season will still currently feature Jalen Milroe. However, with the loss of Sayin, the depth for the future is a bit more clouded. That’s especially so with Eli Holstein transferring as well. Still, as of now, they still have Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan to work with moving forward along with the addition of Mack.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.