Another 5-star addition rebuts predictions NIL will ruin Nick Saban

Just stop it! All those who have been chirping that the NIL world of college football would be the end of Nick Saban’s dominance. Some have even said NIL would be the end of Nick Saban. I’m assuming they meant the end of Saban’s coaching career, rather than something even more dreadful.

Anyway, all those folks were wrong. The narrative should quickly change to, as he has so many times before, Nick Saban has assessed, adjusted and calculated a new way to excel in the NIL amped up, current recruiting environment.

A few weeks ago I suggested Alabama football fans had no reason to panic.

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

That ‘championship character’ is to be found in recruits willing to take the Saban path to development and later financial rewards. Alabama Crimson Tide verbal commit, Malik Benson talked about NIL money versus NFL payoffs.

"Development is key for me here. Are you going to get that $15 mil? Are you going to one day get that $50 mill with my second contract? Everything. That’s definitely more important to me. Being developed by a good coach. I’d rather make that $15 or $50 million later on that you know making $200,000 right now and not really getting developed by a coach. Or making a half of a mil now and not really getting developed."

Malik Benson made a smart decision. Being smart and making good decisions is part of building championship character.

Since Malik Benson committed to the Crimson Tide, two elite prospects from the state of Georgia have announced decisions to join the 2023 Alabama football class. Most recruiting experts have the pair as the top two prospects from Georgia in the 2023 class.

The latest announcement came on Wednesday.

Nick Saban pulling the best players from Georgia must ‘smart’ Kirby Smart. At the least, it is embarrassing for the current National Champions.

Based on multiple recruiting sources, including the On3 Player Ranking, Caleb Downs is the top safety and the No. 13 player overall in the 2023 class.

The Crimson Tide slam-dunked, Georgia, Ohio State and Notre Dame by landing Downs.

Not only is Downs a big get for the Crimson Tide, Nick Saban’s momentum indicates more success in the 2023 class. It is now reasonable to believe Saban and the Tide can land a No. 1 class again.

When will nay-sayers ever learn? Never count Nick Saban out – until he decides he is.