Nick Saban, head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, has harsh words regarding the present condition of college football recruitment. Saban believes that the present NIL and college football transfer portal eras are unsustainable. During a December 21, 2023 interview on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Saban intimated that recruiting has become “pay for play.”
“I think there’s one sort of factor involved in recruiting now that did not used to be involved in recruiting,” he said. “And that’s the whole idea of, I don’t want to say pay for play, but name, image, and likeness [NIL] has become something very similar to that.”
“In some cases, you have players who are looking to create value for their future.” They want to go to a program where they can live happily ever after. But, at the same time, their personal development, academic development, and job development on and off the field are all priorities for them and their families,” Saban concluded.
“Then there are those who are just looking for where they can get the best deal.” And such factors can change at the end.”
Alabama football coach Nick Saban makes a bold prediction about the NIL era: ‘There’s Going to Be Some Kind of Thunderbolt.’
Saban may not agree with the present state of college football, but it does not appear to be having a detrimental influence on Alabama. According to On3.com, the Crimson Tide finished with the second-best recruiting class for 2024.
The Alabama coach is advocating for more “guard rails” in the NFL. Saban expects that the lack of parameters will eventually lead to lawsuits.
“I think it’s going to continue in the same direction that it’s going until something happens,” he said. “I call it a thunderbolt, alright, where people might start dropping sports because the financial side of it can’t make sense in terms of what you can reinvest in non-revenue sports.”
“Or some of the players out there don’t get what they were promised, and there are a lot of lawsuits and things.” “I mean, there’s going to be some kind of thunderbolt because this isn’t a system that has any guard rails right now,” Saban continued.
Alabama Football Rumors: The Crimson Tide has signed quarterback Julian Sayin, who is expected to earn $805,000 in NIL money.
“Ball comes out of his hand really nice. He’s accurate, he’s smart.”
Nick Saban discussed 2024 5-star QB signee Julian Sayin’s game on National Signing Day Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/KkcZJFLF7X
— Alabama Crimson Tide | AL.com (@aldotcomTide) December 21, 2023
