Alabama football: Nick Saban praises Henry To'o To'o’s leadership

Current Alabama linebacker Henry To’o To’o was one of the most highly coveted prospects in the 2019 recruiting class, then again in the 2021 transfer portal group. After missing out the first time, Nick Saban was able to steal the coveted prospect from Tennessee following this year’s coaching change.

The addition of Henry To’o To’o ranked among the most important offseason moves, adding leadership on defense. After seeing start linebacker Christian Harris thrive in his roll, the Alabama staff was hesitant to move him. The addition of the Tennessee transfer, who Saban coveted in high school, allowed both to take on their preferred position.

During his Thursday press conference, Nick Saban addressed the presence Henry To’o To’o brings on and off the field, citing his leadership as a major part of Alabama’s 2021 success.

“Henry has done a really good job,” said Saban. “He’s a really good communicator, smart. I think he helps everybody play better up front, in terms of his ability to communicate, have good understanding of the defense – what the offense is trying to do, what we’re trying to do on defense – to stop it. I think that’s been very helpful to all of our players.”

He continued: “Communication on defense is really important in adjustments, and that’s one of the things that I think Henry has added to our group – his ability to communicate and help other people be confident – in doing the right things.”

Nick Saban, Josh Heupel on Henry To’o To’o

First-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was disappointed when Henry To’o To’o decided to leave Tennessee and transfer to Alabama this offseason. During this week’s SEC head coaches teleconference, he explained the situation he walked into, with more than 30 players already in the transfer portal.

“I think that ship – in his mind – had probably pretty much sailed,” said Heupel. “He was no longer on campus, was no longer in Knoxville, and was back home (in Sacramento, California).”

In 2019, as a true freshman, To’o To’o earned freshman All-America honors after racking up 72 tackles, five tackles for loss, half a sack, two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and a fumble recovery. Then in 2020, he finished with 76 tackles and 10 tackles for loss.

Saban talked about how the coveted transfer prospect knew he would carve out an big-time role on the Crimson Tide roster.

“Well, I mean, Henry’s a great competitor,” Saban said. “He’s done a great job for us. He’s been a real positive addition to our team. I think he was very confident when he came here that he could create a role for himself, because of the kind of competitor, the kind of person, how important football is to him–that he would do just fine. And he certainly has.”