Former Georgia standout Isaiah Wilson explains how Nick Saban, Jim Harbaugh blew his college recruitment
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Coming out of Poly Prep of Brooklyn, NY., five-star prospect Isaiah Wilson had the option to go to just about any major college he wanted to attend.
The massive 6-foot-7, 350-pound lineman was rated as the nation’s No. 5 offensive tackle and the No. 16 overall prospect in the 2017 recruiting cycle. After three seasons of strong performances on the field in Athens, Wilson went on to become a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft when the Tennessee Titans selected the standout Georgia lineman.
While the New York native ended up playing his college football in Athens, he nearly played for Nick Saban’s Alabama program.
During a recent appearance on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, Wilson shared that he had intended to play for the Crimson Tide until an experience with Saban on the recruiting trail soured him.
“I was committed to ‘Bama for a long time,” Wilson said on the show.
So what happened that made him explore other options?
“Nick Saban didn’t give me a hug, so I decommitted,” Wilson shared.
Why did that bother him so much?
“I care about the little things,” Wilson explained. “I committed and I was thinking, cool. I was thinking in my head, I just committed. This is now my coach. You know what I mean? I just committed, I was hoping to get one. I put my arms out.”
You may be wondering if Wilson got a hug from Georgia’s staff after committed. Indeed, he did, which likely sealed the deal for Kirby Smart and his program.
That wasn’t the only recruiting story Wilson shared on the show. He had Michigan among his finalists until Jim Harbaugh made an in-home visit to his house.
“Remember when they first got the deal with Jordan (brand)? He just wouldn’t take off his cleats, and like, he came to my home visit with cleats on the feet, and I have hardwood floors. He’s just walking around with cleats bro,” Wilson said of Michigan’s coach.
Like the man said, it’s the little things that mattered in his recruitment. Georgia did it right while Alabama and Michigan cost themselves an elite offensive lineman.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
