Nick Saban makes statement on recruiting trail in July

Heading into July, Alabama had one of the nation’s best recruiting classes. It included a pair of five-star prospects in Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson safety Tony Mitchell and Florence (Ala.) cornerback Jahlil Hurley. Also, top-10 quarterback Eli Holstein of Zachary (La.) was committed to the Crimson Tide.

Then Alabama head coach Nick Saban and his staff put their recruiting efforts in overdrive during the month of July. By the end of the month, the Crimson Tide’s class is ranked No. 1 in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings.

Here’s how Saban and Alabama put together a phenomenal month on the recruiting trail.

Alabama beats SEC rivals for top targets

Alabama’s surge began on July 4 when Saban and Co. completed the flip of Anniston (Ala.) four-star interior offensive lineman Ryqueze McElderry from Georgia. McElderry had been eyeing a chance to play for the Crimson Tide for a while.

A week later, Alabama landed a commitment from Snellville (Ga.) Brookwood four-star quarterback Dylan Lonergan, the No. 76 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus. Many thought that Lonergan would choose South Carolina or Stanford. However, Saban secured his second top-10 quarterback in the On3 Consensus.

Saban then pulled off one of the early stunners of the 2023 cycle by going back into the Peach State to land a pledge from Roswell (Ga.) Buford four-star running back Justice Haynes, a top-50 prospect, on July 17. Haynes’ father played running back for the Bulldogs, which made his commitment to the Crimson Tide all the more shocking. This pledge put the college football world on notice: Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide were making their run on the recruiting trail.

Saban beats Mario Cristobal for top lineman

New Miami head coach Mario Cristobal was an assistant for Saban at Alabama from 2013 to 2016. Cristobal learned a lot from Saban during his time in Tuscaloosa. It was there that Cristobal developed into one of the nation’s top recruiters, a trait he displayed during his five seasons as head coach at Oregon.

During the first part of July, Cristobal was able to beat his mentor for a pair of highly rated commits in five-star offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and four-star EDGE Jayden Wayne. However, Saban would not lose a third recruit to Cristobal.

On July 22, Alabama landed a commitment from Windsor (Conn.) The Loomis Chaffee School four-star offensive tackle Olaus Alinen over Miami after a strong late push from the Hurricanes. Saban played a key role in Alinen’s decision.

“I always thought in my mind that it would be great to go to a school like Alabama and play for a coach like coach Saban,” Alinen told On3’s Chad Simmons. “Alabama is the greatest college football program ever and coach Saban is the best college football coach ever. Alabama has everything you need.”

During this time, Alabama also landed pledges from Chicago (Ill.) St. Rita three-star kicker Conor Talty and a junior college transfer in Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College three-star wide receiver Malik Benson.

Pair of five-stars lift Crimson Tide to No. 1

The Crimson Tide then went back into Georgia for Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek five-star safety Caleb Downs, the state’s top prospect, on July 27. Landing Downs, Haynes and Lonergan gave Alabama three of the top four recruits in the Peach State.

Learning from Saban was an important factor in Downs’ decision to join one of the nation’s best recruiting classes.

“In my eyes, I am going to play for Yoda,” Downs told On3’s Chad Simmons. “Coach Saban has great experience, great knowledge, and there is so much he can teach me. He is a great coach, the best ever, but he is still relatable. I am able to talk with him about a lot of things. He is that coach that can bring so much because of his experience, yet he is easy for me to talk to and relate to.”

Two days later, Saban put the icing on the impressive month by landing the No. 1 running back in Lehigh Acres (Fla.) Lehigh Senior five-star tailback Richard Young. The Crimson Tide again defeated Georgia for Young along with Oregon. Young’s decision put Alabama in rare company since Young and Haynes are ranked the No. 1 and No. 3 running backs, respectively, in the On3 Consensus.

Saban and company now hold commitments from four five-star recruits, the most in the nation. The Crimson Tide are also contenders for Montgomery (Ala.) Carver five-star defensive lineman James Smith and Montgomery (Ala.) Carver five-star EDGE Qua Russaw.

Additionally, Alabama has the highest average grade per commit at 92.30 in the Consensus Team Recruiting Rankings.