The night before the early signing period, social media was buzzing.
Instead of presents, the football gods were bestowing more good fortune on Nick Saban and Alabama football. When the Crimson Tide were expected to add even more blue-chip talent to a top-three class, social media erupted. A day later, their predictions had come true. Alabama had the second-best overall group. Saban flipped many recruits from his old assistants once more. During his press conference, he promised that there would be more.
One reporter questioned Saban how he’s adapted to continue recruiting success in the social media age, noting a tale Kirby Smart recounted earlier this year about Saban messaging him back for the first time ever.
“Uh, I can’t,” Saban responded after a little pause. “I’m not sure. You’re approaching the wrong person.”
But then Saban detailed his general pitch to prospects, indicating why Alabama has been so successful on signing day and in the college football world at large.
“I mean, we try to be truthful. We attempt to be honest. We try to persuade them that if they can build value in their brand, we’ll make a significant investment in them here, personally, intellectually, and athletically.There are still a lot of males who believe that. I believe that name, image, and likeness have gone to where males go out because some guys are interested in how much money they can make, which is fine. We are attempting to invest in the players’ future so that they can create more value for their future. There are still a lot of players that believe that.”There are concerns that the dynasty is dying every few seasons between his six national championships with Alabama. It happened this autumn. However, there has not been a drop-off in recruiting. Alabama has six slots in the 247Sports composite top ten classes in modern history. Consider the recent string of elite quarterback signings, which included the nation’s finest this year, Julian Sayin. While opposing coaches tell recruits that Alabama’s system limits playing time, the Tide consistently produces freshman standouts (Caleb Downs and Kadyn Proctor in 2023).
Alabama welcomed NIL when the state legislature overturned a strict law that prohibited institutions from communicating with players. On gameday, the University boasts ‘The Authentic at Bryant-Denny Stadium,’ a boutique that offers player apparel. Saban has even modified his coaching style, delighting in his current roster’s LANK-attitude. But, at the heart of it, Saban’s selling arguments have remained consistent since he stepped off the aircraft in Tuscaloosa in 2007.
“A lot of what I saw made it clear to me that Alabama could develop me into a good player and a man.” I believe that playing at Alabama can help you improve in a variety of ways to be successful.” Kevin Riley, a Tuscaloosa County running back who moved from Miami to Alabama on Wednesday, told 247Sports’ Brett Greenberg.
The dynasty became generational in 2023. Saban was questioned about the Tide’s first legacy recruit, defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., whose father won two BCS championships with Alabama. Saban remarked on how both Kirkpatricks were competitive and knew what they wanted. They both bought in 14 years apart.
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