Olaus Alinen to Alabama: "Nick Saban is the best college football coach ever"

Last summer, Olaus Alinen camped at Alabama. It was his first time seeing the campus in Tuscaloosa and getting a feel for the winning environment there. Little did he know then that he would end up committing to the Crimson Tide 13 months later.

The 6-foot-6, 325-pound offensive tackle from Finland moved to the United States last year to play football. He emerged as a four-star talent at The Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor (Conn.). Now he has added his name to Alabama’s commitment list before the start of his senior year.

“It was very tough to get here, but at some point, you have to make your decision, and I decided Wednesday that it was Alabama,” Alinen told On3. “I had multiple calls with Alabama and Miami, and during a conversation with coach Nick Saban, I knew where I wanted to go. I just felt it.”

Other than Alabama and Miami, Georgia, Ohio State, and Oregon were finalists. The Buckeyes hung around, and there was communication late, but in the end, it came down to the Crimson Tide and Hurricanes.

Alabama has it all.

“I did go back and forth a little bit, and I had different moods feeling Alabama and Miami, but after those calls Wednesday, I was 100% sure on Alabama,” he said.

“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. Alabama is the greatest college football program ever and coach Saban is the best college football coach ever. Alabama has everything you need.”

Saban played a significant role in Alinen’s decision

Eric Wolford was involved. Multiple Alabama staffers had communication with the No. 120 prospect in the On3 Consensus, but Saban, and his resume meant a lot to Alinen.

“There was a lot of pressure outside of my circle to go different places and I was being pulled in different directions, but coach Saban, and his ability to answer my questions really made this final for me,” Alinen said. “At some point, you just know, and during my last conversation with coach Saban on Wednesday, that was the time for me.”

Alabama is Alabama. They have a great history. They have a long list of players in the NFL. Expectations are high. The roster is loaded. But for Alinen, it came down to the leader in Tuscaloosa.

“Coach Saban is the guy at Alabama and everything starts with him. He is the one that makes the offer official, so he is in charge,” Alinen said.

“During my recruitment, he has talked to me a lot,” he added. “He got to know me, my parents, and he was always involved. He is not a coach that is always texting me or sending me something, but we talked a lot. And he always has something impactful and meaningful to say.”

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Alinen is ready for the challenge at Alabama

Alinen has visited Alabama on four separate occasions. From camp to watching proactive to an official visit. He knows what it is like in Tuscaloosa.

He can’t wait to be part of it.

“The atmosphere is awesome,” Alinen said. “Everyone is driven, motivated, and everything is so professional. They work on the smallest details to be great at Alabama. The coaches, the players, and everyone there wants to be great.

Not many from the United States get the chance to play football at Alabama. It is special for those guys, but it may mean a little more from Alinen being from Europe.

“It means a lot for me going to a place like Alabama,” Alinen said. “Going to Alabama is a huge honor and opportunity. I can’t take it for granted. So many want this opportunity from all over the world, so it means a lot.”