What impact will Nick Saban’s exit have on Alabama’s football team? Hiring mailbag
Returning to another recruiting mailbag, happy (belated) New Year.
As we look forward to the Class of 2025, it’s difficult to think we’re only one month away from tying the knot for the Class of 2024. A few fireworks have already occurred, such as the commitment of top prospect Bryce Underwood to LSU and another five-star quarterback Julian Lewis switching from 2026 to 2025. Now that the contact period, which ends on February 3, has begun, coaches can resume their in-person, off-campus visits. Of course, everyone is focused on Alabama’s roster.
Now let’s get started. I sincerely appreciate your inquiries.
the apparent one. What effect does Nick Saban’s departure have on Alabama’s recruiting class, and does this imply that more prospects will be visiting the portal? — In Thad N.
Will Georgia and Alabama continue to be the top two recruiting destinations? — Matt A.
Alabama is a terrific location to start with this mailbag, so I’m merging these two questions because of their connection.
The only commit the Crimson Tide lost in their 2024 class since Saban’s retirement last week is five-star wide receiver Ryan Williams, who reclassified from 2025 to 2024 and will choose between Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M, and Texas in February. Before the Under Armour Next All-America game in Orlando, Florida, last month, Williams praised Saban and expressed his gratitude to him several times. Despite being committed to the Crimson Tide since October 2022, Williams expressed that he was understanding that he wanted to make more official visits as he concluded his recruitment. (Note: Julian Sayin, another Alabama recruit for the class of 2024, is currently in motion as of Friday morning.)
For more than a dozen years, Alabama’s best pitch was playing for Coach Saban. It makes natural that his absence has caused players to view Alabama differently, and it will be interesting to watch how the remaining players in the 2024 class develop. If those signees decide they want to play somewhere else, they still have roughly three weeks to put their name in the portal.Regarding the existing roster, we have to anticipate additional transfers. Former five-star guard Kadyn Proctor announced his intention to enroll on Wednesday. So did standout former five-star safety Caleb Downs, who was a huge, if unsurprising, loss for new coach Kalen DeBoer.
