Nick Saban's Retirement Provides Chance For 'Dramatic' Recruiting Shift

With Nick Saban retiring, college football could see new recruiting trends

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Jan 11, 2024 8:11 AM EST

In this story:

From the time Alabama hired Nick Saban to become the head coach of the Crimson Tide until his retirement began to leak to the public, college football programs were usually far behind his recruiting efforts.

Keep in mind, Saban's first season in Tuscaloosa was in 2007 and he never wavered with his desire to dominate with recruiting. Beginning in 2010 with 247's inaugural national rankings, here's where Bama finished.

2010: 4
2011: 1
2012: 1
2013: 1
2014: 1
2015: 1
2016: 1
2017: 1
2018: 5
2019: 1
2020: 2
2021: 1
2022: 2
2023: 1
2024: 2

In Total, that's 10 out of 15 recruiting cycles that Saban and Alabama finished No. 1. To add to it, the 2008 and 2009 Rivals team rankings placed Alabama at #1 as well. Alabama's recruiting run has been unprecedented. How the Crimson Tide reached such recruiting heights, geographically speaking, should also be considered trendsetting.

Of course, Saban and his coaching staffs dominated in-state recruiting. It's just that Alabama suddenly hammered away in areas that were once strongholds for other programs. Here are two staggering examples.

In Florida, where the Big 3 of Miami, Florida State, and Florida used to completely dominate the recruiting landscape, the Crimson Tide changed that trend by routinely plucking elite prospects that eventually went on to the NFL like safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, wide receiver Amari Cooper, running back Derrick Henry, wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, wide receiver Calvin Ridley, and cornerback Patrick Surtain II.

All of them, and many more from Florida, ended up helping the Crimson Tide to six national titles. There's one particular recruiting class that sent home the message that Bama was dominating Florida.

The 2017 Alabama recruiting class included eight recruits from the Sunshine State. Without question, Saban and his coaching staff pilfered Florida as no program has done in recent memory. He may down even better in another state where he once coached.

The Bayou State is home to some of the nation's top talent. Yes, Louisiana has long since produced some of the nation's top prep football players. LSU has often lived off the local talent.

Saban was a part of that trend as he helped the Tigers to the 2003 national title before moving on to become the Miami Dolphins head coach and then back to the college ranks at Alabama.

While Bama has been dominant, LSU was also a tremendous program for much of Saban's time in Tuscaloosa. His Crimson Tide program was the only school that dipped into Cajun Country and consistently defeated LSU for recruits.

Here are a few of the recruits that Bama signed from talent-rich Louisiana during his tenure in Tuscaloosa. Safety Landon Collins, defensive end Tim Williams, offensive tackle Cam Robinson, Tight end Irv Smith, Jr., and wide receiver DeVonta Smith.

College football is losing a coaching legend with Saban's retirement. It's also losing a dominant recruiting force that's set the bar as high as any head coach has done before.

To end, here's the question that matters most moving forward with a chance at a dramatic recruiting shift. Will programs like Miami, Florida State, Florida, and LSU be able to ascend the college football ranks with Saban no longer in charge at Alabama?