Nick Saban Says Julian Sayin Has Right Mindset
The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide is just a few practices into Rose Bowl preparations, and some new faces are helping the team prepare.
Coach Nick Saban met with the media on Wednesday and gave some time and attention to the Class of 2024, specifically the mid-year enrollees who are helping the Tide practice.
One of those players is superstar prospect Julian Sayin.
Sayin is a 5-star quarterback out of Carlsbad, Calif., and considered one of the best players in the class entirely.
"Julian is an outstanding player. The ball comes out of his hand really nice, he's accurate, he's smart. He's had a great high school career and been one of the best and most productive players in the country on a very consistent basis and we like him a lot," said Saban. "I think as all players, I tell all players you really got to focus on your development. That's the most important thing: What are you going to become? And I think he's got the right mindset to do that."
Sayin's grown up in a quarterbacking household as his older brother plays under-center for Penn in the collegiate ranks. He's played in a versatile, pro-style offense that's called for him to develop multiple skillsets.
A dying skillset that Saban may be able to lean on in the future is Sayin's comfort going under center as the "I-formation" was a common wrinkle in the Carlsbad system.
"We don't get under center a whole bunch but that's something we want to be able to do and we want the quarterback to be comfortable doing so anybody who's done it in high school or grew up doing it. It's the natural thing for them so I think it's good," said Saban. "I think it's a good thing they not so one-dimensional as a player and then they're uncomfortable doing new things that you have to do because I'm sure wherever anybody goes there is going to be new things at every position that that have. to learn to do and grow comfortable learning. That's one thing that's pretty huge for a quarterback."
Sayin will likely be playing the role of J.J. McCarthy as the Tide prepares for Michigan, a role the early-enrollee can embrace fully as his first challenge stepping into college football.
