Just like most years, Alabama football head coach Nick Saban brought in a quarterback in his 2024 recruiting class. Julian Sayin, the nation’s top-ranked signal-caller according to the 247Sports composite, put pen to paper on Wednesday, signing his national letter of intent to play for the Crimson Tide.

On Wednesday, after Alabama officially added 23 players on the first day of the early signing period, Saban was asked what stood out about the five-star QB from California.

“Julian is an outstanding player,” Saban said. “The ball comes out of his hand real nice. He’s accurate. He’s smart. He’s had a great high school career and been one of the best players, most productive players in the country on a very consistent basis and we like him a lot.”

Sayin obviously won’t be able to help the Crimson Tide when it faces Michigan in the College Football Playoff’s Rose Bowl semifinal on Jan. 1. However, he and a group of the 2024 prospects have already joined the team for practice.

He earned rave reviews from Alabama starting QB Jalen Milroe earlier in the week. On Wednesday, Saban was asked how that experience could benefit the players who show up early.

“Being in meetings, starting to learn the offense or the defense,” Saban said. “Being around players on the field. Seeing how a college practice really goes and how they can contribute and how they can improve. And a lot of them come up and meet with coaches so they can learn a little extra if they don’t understand something in a meeting, so I think this total experience is a really positive experience for them in terms of their total adjustment.”

Saban was also asked about Sayin’s experience going under center, rather than spending his entire high school career taking shotgun snaps. The head coach noted Alabama doesn’t spend much time under center, but said it’s still a good skill for the young QB to possess.

“I think it’s a good thing that we’re not just one-dimensional as a player, and then they’re uncomfortable doing new things that you have to do,” Saban said. “Because I’m sure wherever anybody goes, there’s gonna be new things that they have to do and grow comfortable learning. That’s one thing that’s pretty huge for a quarterback.”

Sayin is on campus now. He’ll be at Alabama next season, though he’ll likely have to spend time sitting behind Milroe, who has already announced his return for 2024.

Still, Saban said the quarterback has the right attitude for finding future success.

“I think as all players, I tell all players ‘You really got to focus on your development,’” Saban said. “That’s the most important thing: What are you going to become? And I think he’s got the right mindset to do that.”