Alabama Football: Crimson Tide playing NIL long game

On a day created for a celebration, there are Alabama football fans contemplating gloom and doom instead. The source of their consternation is Crimson Tide recruiting and the use of NIL deals to gain recruits.

At the least, there are some schools willing to ignore the intent of NIL, and throw million-dollar deals at elite recruits. There is widespread belief Texas, Texas A&M, Miami and Tennessee are four such programs.

In the short term, the strategy of the four programs (and no doubt others) is working. One reason is there is no governing body to keep them from doing it.

The reported numbers in some deals are stunning. Yahoo Sports provided elaboration on the $9.5M value of the NIL deal from Miami to gain quarterback recruit, Jaden Rashada. According to Yahoo, there are rumors LSU, Florida, Ole Miss and Texas were outbid for Rashada.

Rashada’s attorney denied his client did not choose Miami because of the cash, saying,

"Jaden left millions on the table. He did not pick the highest offer. He went there because he loves Miami, the coaches, and the opportunity."

The Alabama Football program has chosen to operate differently. Nick Saban is not willing to buy recruits. Alabama football players benefit from NIL deals and some of the deals are substantial, but not until they have joined the Alabama football program.

For Alabama Football ‘deeper pockets’ not the issue

Some Crimson Tide fans bemoan the fact some other programs have deeper pocket boosters happy to throw money at recruits. Some do, and for billionaires, buying recruits with millions of dollars is a welcome price to chase championships.

The Alabama fanbase may not have a Phil Knight or a Jimmy and Bill Haslem. If it did, it is doubtful Nick Saban would condone a booster buying any part of his roster.

The NIL problem for the Alabama Crimson Tide is not funds. The problem is Nick Saban knows what is happening now is unsustainable. He has been clear on that point. In effect, Nick Saban knows teams can be adversely affected by mercenary players and overzealous boosters.

It is not hard to see the risk of paying players before they have produced outcomes equal to their rewards. Most coaches preach that a ‘me’ mentality, versus a ‘we’ mentality damages teams. Everything about using NIL deals for recruits runs counter to Nick Saban’s foundational principles.

Selling ‘Process’ to an incoming player who has already focused instead, on possibly the most impactful outcome in his life – Nick Saban does not have a plan for that.

What path for Nick Saban and Alabama Football

Stay the course by not succumbing to NIL frenzy would be both bold and risky. So be it. Over the next couple of years, the NIL world will evolve. With time, throwing money at unproven recruits may not provide the returns some deep-pocketed boosters imagine.

There are enough potentially very good, and possibly elite players that don’t have to be bought. Saban and the Alabama football staff are good at finding them through summer camps. Another example is the expected, next Alabama commit, top JUCO prospect, Malik Benson. Additionally, so far, Saban has used the Transfer Portal better than anyone.

Nick Saban will adapt and refine his plan for building championship rosters, heavily populated by championship character.

On Independence Day, Alabama missed on a 5-Star who chose Miami, and the Tide benefitted from a 3-Star who had de-committed from Georgia. For the 5-Star and his family, an NIL deal was likely the deciding factor. Two thoughts – good luck to him and Alabama will do fine without him.