Alabama Football: Nick Saban had nothing to say on Signing Day
By Ronald Evans
Nick Saban had nothing to say on Wednesday about the Alabama Football 2023 Signing Class. Signing Day was not business as usual in Tuscaloosa. There was no media session to review the Alabama Crimson Tide class.
There was no need for a media session. Twenty-four of the 28 signees have been in Tuscaloosa for weeks, going to class and working out. The other four will arrive in late May or June.
Nick Saban and his staff turned the page on the 2023 class days earlier. Any small chance Alabama would add a player on Wednesday was erased by Saban. He was more than content with the 2023 class, ranked No. 1 in the 247Sports Composite. The Georgia Bulldogs were left in Crimson Tide dust in the second position.
Alabama Football 5-Star Parade
Based on the Composite, Alabama Football’s 2023 Signing Class is the third-highest of all time. One reason why was that Alabama landed nine, 5-Star recruits.
There is more to recruiting than 5-Stars, but …
As tweeted by ESPN’s Peter Burns, in the 38, 5-Stars in the 2023 class, the SEC signed 21, exceeding what the other Power Five conferences signed, combined. The Big 12 was next with seven 5-Stars; all seven were signed by Oklahoma and Texas. The Pac 12 got five; the ACC, four and the mighty Big Ten got one.
The SEC also signed more 4-Stars than any two of the other Power Fives combined.
Some think the only thing keeping the other Power Fives with enough talent is the Transfer Portal. It is true, SEC programs do feed talented players to the other conferences through the transfer option. But the SEC also often gets its pick of top incoming transfers. Most SEC coaches have become adept at roster strengthing in every cycle via the Portal.
Nick Saban has been selective in Portal additions. So far, he has added only two this cycle, bringing the Tide’s addition of new players to 30. It is possible Saban will choose to add one or two more after the Portal reopens in May, or with a Graduate Transfer, who can transfer at any time.
Some Alabama football fans were a bit nostalgic on Wednesday. Signing Day was such a big day for so long, some fans would actually schedule vacation days so they could follow every minute.
Next. Breakout Stars on Crimson Tide Defense. dark
The NCAA is considering going back to just one Signing Period, in January, with no more February Signing Days.