Nick Saban Jokes He's a 'Dumbass' for Putting OSU's Julian Sayin on Alabama Scout Team

Julian Sayin has emerged as a star in his first year as Ohio State's starter, but it wasn't long ago that he was playing on Alabama's scout team.

Nick Saban, the former Crimson Tide coach who recruited Sayin, made a self-deprecating joke when discussing Sayin's time with Alabama.

"The coach at Alabama played [Julian Sayin] on the scout team for a whole year," Saban said. "What a dumbass."

In Saban's defense, he had an outstanding quarterback during the 2023 season in Jalen Milroe, so Sayin's chances of playing were already slim.

Things have ultimately worked out for Sayin. The former No. 1 quarterback in his class joined the Buckeyes last season and played behind Will Howard before getting the starting nod this season.

In seven games this year, Sayin has thrown for 1,872 yards, 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions, leading the Buckeyes to a 7-0 start.

Had Sayin stayed at Alabama following Saban's departure and Kalen DeBoer's hiring, it's hard to say whether he would have had the same success.