Nick Saban jokes about Julian Sayin pick

Jeff Hauser

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Nick Saban pokes fun at himself over Julian Sayin decision image

TL;DR

  • Nick Saban humorously called himself a "dumbass" for playing Julian Sayin on scout team at Alabama.
  • Julian Sayin transferred to Ohio State after Saban's retirement and is now a Heisman Trophy contender.
  • Sayin has had a breakout 2025 season, leading the nation in completion percentage for Ohio State.

Nick Saban had a little fun at his own expense Saturday when the topic of Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin came up on ESPN’s College GameDay.

The Buckeyes signal-caller started his career in Tuscaloosa before transferring to Ohio State after Saban’s retirement. But he was only on scout team for the Crimson Tide. Now, the sophomore quarterback is firmly in the Heisman Trophy race after a breakout 2025 season.

“I think one point I’d like to make about Julian Sayin is he was at Alabama,” Saban said on the broadcast. “And the coach at Alabama played him on the scout team for a whole year. What a dumbass.”

The light slam drew laughter from the GameDay set in Salt Lake City, but also showed why Saban is one of the best for being self-aware of his mistakes. 

Sayin, a five-star-plus recruit from Carlsbad, California, was the No. 2 quarterback and No. 8 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to Rivals. He enrolled early at Alabama but transferred after Saban stepped away from coaching.

Sayin has found a home with OSU offensive coordinator Brian Hartline. He has thrown for 1,872 yards, 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions while completing 80 percent of his passes, which leads the nation.

Ohio State heads into the final month of the regular season with Penn State coming to Columbus on Saturday (Noon ET, FOX). 

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.