Will Julian Sayin start? A look at Ohio State star's potential position in 2024

Julian Sayin flipped Alabama to join Ohio State earlier this year. The former five-star recruit has reportedly impressed the Buckeyes staff, and fans have been eager to learn whether the true freshman will be the team's starting quarterback for the 2024 season.

As things stand, Ohio State coach Ryan Day has not yet named his QB1 for the upcoming season. However, it's unlikely that Sayin will get the nod as the starter in 2024 as he is entering his first year of collegiate football.

As per reports, Will Howard is the favorite to take up the role of Ohio State's starting quarterback for the upcoming season. Howard played for four years at Kansas State before transferring to Ohio State this offseason.

Devin Brown will likely serve as Howard's backup while Sayin is tipped as the third-choice quarterback for the Buckeyes in 2024. Ohio State also has the likes of Lincoln Kienholz and Air Noland in their quarterback department.

Nonetheless, Sayin will want to push Howard and Brown for a starting berth till the end of preseason or before coach Day makes his final decision. There is also a possibility that Sayin might be called upon for the Buckeyes during the regular season if the situation demands.

Julian Sayin de-committed from Alabama to join Ohio State

Ohio State QB Julian Sayin addressing the media at the team's preseason camp (Source: Imagn)

Julian Sayin had initially planned to join Alabama and committed to the Crimson Tide in 2022 as a high school junior. However, in January this year, the quarterback entered the transfer portal to join Ohio State.

Earlier this week, Sayin said his decision to leave Alabama was down to the departure of legendary coach Nick Saban. Saban stepped down as the Crimson Tide's coach on Jan. 10.

“We had a great relationship through the recruiting process, and I loved Coach Saban," Sayin said (h/t The Columbus Dispatch). "I really wanted to go play for him.”

Sayin then spoke about his surprise at Saban's retirement and the transfer to Ohio State that followed.

“I would say we were caught by surprise. There was definitely a lot of emotions, but I had my family to lean on. They helped me through it, and I was able to make the right decision.

"Really, I just wanted to be at a school with a great tradition, great quarterback history, and somewhere I could develop."

Sayin's Ohio State will open its 2024 season by hosting Akron on Aug. 31.