Nick Saban looks back on recruiting 2 Clemson standout players
By Andrew Olson
Published:
No one team gets to sign every talented player they recruit (though fans of about 13 SEC teams believe this is what happens at Alabama). Even Nick Saban doesn’t always get his first choice.
With Clemson regularly playing for national championships, some of the best players in the country are heading to the Palmetto State. Nick Saban was asked Monday about a pair of Clemson star players his staff tried to recruit to Alabama.
Q. I just wanted to see, what do you remember from the recruiting process with Justyn Ross, and what have you seen on film from him this year at Clemson?
NICK SABAN: Well, he’s played outstanding for them. I mean, he’s made a lot of big plays. He’s a great vertical threat. He’s a big target. He’s very crafty for a guy that is just a freshman. We thought he was one of the best players in Alabama a year ago, and certainly recruited him with as much enthusiasm as possible. We just came up short. It’s no surprise to me that he’s having an outstanding year, and we’d love to have him here, but we’ve got to try to prepare to play against him.
The play-making freshman was certainly on UA’s radar. The Central (Phenix City, Ala.) product was rated the No. 1 recruit from Alabama, No. 7 wide receiver and No. 45 prospect overall nationally on the 247Sports Composite. Alabama managed to sign the No. 5 wide receiver of the class, who is also already a household name: Jaylen Waddle.
The No. 1 overall recruit of the class was Trevor Lawrence. He pledged to Clemson on Dec. 15, 2016. Saban recalls seeing early in Lawrence’s career that the quarterback had all the tools to be successful.
Q. Going even back to the recruiting process, do you remember the first time that you saw Trevor Lawrence play?
NICK SABAN: Ooh, I think it was when he was maybe a sophomore. Even then, there was no question about the fact that he was going to be one of the best players in the country at his position. He certainly is that. Had a great high school career, and again, we tried to recruit him here, as well, and things have worked out well for him in terms of the position that he’s in and the job that he’s done for them. We know he’s a fine young man and really a great competitor. He’s certainly proven that over the course of this season.
Clemson finished with No. 7-ranked class while Alabama landed at No. 5 overall nationally.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
