By Tony Thomas
Ohio State continues to load up their 2024 roster with great football players from the transfer portal; Alabama gets another player from the national runners-up; Tennessee lands a former 5-star OT from an SEC rival and a defensive lineman from the PAC 12; Florida lands a former Alabama athlete.
QB Julian Sayin
Ohio State Buckeyes (from Alabama)
6’1”, 195 lbs.
After signing with the Alabama Crimson Tide during the early signing period in December, Julian Sayin did not take too kindly to Nick Saban calling it a career, and decided to enter the portal and has pledged his commitment to Ohio State.
5 star QB Julian Sayin is going to Ohio State.
Ryan Day is on fire. pic.twitter.com/feTgnDeIPO
— Saturday Tradition (@Tradition) January 21, 2024
Sayin is the reigning California Gatorade Player, MVP of the finals at the Elite 11 Quarterback Competition, and was the #3 quarterback nationally in the 2024 class.
During his senior year of high school, Sayin passed for 2,347 yards, 24 TDs, and only 1 INT, while completing 74% of his passes. For his prep career, Sayin passed for 7,970 yards and 86 touchdowns, with just 10 INTs.
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Sayin is the latest in a collection of outstanding talent from the portal in recent weeks for the Buckeyes. Sayin joins fellow transfers CB Caleb Downs, RB Quinshon Judkins, and QB Will Howard on the 2024 roster. In addition, Sayin joins another 5-star quarterback in Air Noland.
OL Parker Brailsford
Alabama Crimson Tide (from Washington)
6’2”, 275 lbs.
As a starter at multiple positions along the offensive line as a freshman, Parker Brailsford was the rookie on the Joe Moore Award winning unit, starting all 15 games for the Huskies.
Full slab from Washington center Parker Braisford with a handstand finish from LG Nate Kalepo. pic.twitter.com/YAvUGLdQFa
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) October 3, 2023
For his efforts in helping lead Washington to the national title game, Brailsford earned 2nd Team All-PAC-12, and was named 1st Team Freshman All-American.
RB Jonah Coleman
Washington Huskies (from Arizona)
5’9”, 225 lbs.
An Honorable Mention All-PAC-12 in 2023, Jonah Coleman rushed for 871 yards and five TDs, averaging almost seven yards per carry (6.80). In addition, Coleman caught 25 passes for 283 yards and a score.
Washington lands a commitment from Jonah Coleman.
Coleman is one of the top returning running backs in the country and posted 1,154 yards in 2023 and 6.8 YPC.
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) January 21, 2024
Coleman recorded two games of 100+ yards rushing, including a season-high 179 yards in a 34-31 win over Colorado. He scored three rushing touchdowns in a 44-6 win over Washington State. Coleman posted six games in which he averaged six yards or more per carry.
OL Zalance Heard
Tennessee Volunteers (from LSU)
6’6”, 340 lbs.
Rated as the #3 OT nationally in the 2023 class according to the 247Sports Composite, Zalance Heard was a Top 20 recruit overall and played in 12 games in 2023, starting one for the Tigers. Heard will play for a Tennessee offensive line that returns experience in Cooper Mays, John Campbell, Jr., and Dayne Davis.
Zalance Heard is a big man who moves bodies at will. Heard #53 and playing RT in these game reps. pic.twitter.com/noBCwtxK4i
— Kerry Williams (@kerrywilliams_) January 21, 2024
DB Jameer Grimsley
Florida Gators (from Alabama)
6’3”, 185 lbs.
Playing both WR and CB in high school, Jameer Grimsley was a 4-star ATH and ranked in the ESPN 300. Grimsley is a 2024 recruit who signed with Alabama during the early signing period in December, but after Nick Saban announced he was retiring, Grimsley decided that transferring was better than trying to earn a starting job on new Alabama DC Kane Wommack’s defense.
Grimsley has good ball skills with track speed, and moves on to a Florida Gators team that is under NCAA investigation. Investigators descended upon the Gainesville campus and are building a case in connection with the eight figure NIL involving QB recruit Jaden Rashada that the Gators reneged on.
