Nick Saban shares impact of NIL on 2023 National Signing Day class

In the end, National Signing Day was good to Nick Saban and Alabama. After the early signing period, Alabama has the top-ranked class, according to the On3 2023 Consensus Football Team Recruiting Rankings.

Despite Alabama always recruiting well, there are always questions about how NIL affects recruiting in the modern game. The Crimson Tide are no exception. Nick Saban was asked about the impact that NIL had on this class during a press conference.

“We’re not allowed to be involved in NLI [NIL], at least from my perspective,” Nick Saban said. “You know, I do think that it did have an impact on recruiting with some players.”

“I don’t know how you make comments about things that are really crazy, kind of a crazy situation right now, and there’s not really a sensible response to it.”

Interestingly, Nick Saban admitted he doesn’t necessarily know how to respond to NIL. However, he is sure that recruits will know that they can have success in NIL based on what prior Alabama players have done to this point.

“So, I don’t know how to really respond to it other than the fact that we do a great job of trying to sell what we can do to create value for players and what they can create for themselves here because our players have done a really good job of creating value for themselves in name, image, and likeness by what they do after they get here.”

Nick Saban praised his quarterback signees

In Alabama’s top-ranked class, the Crimson Tide signed two quarterbacks. They are Eli Holstein and Dylan Lonergan. Nick Saban praised both of these young quarterbacks, noting their potential.

“We’re obviously happy with both guys. They’ve both been in successful programs. We know a lot about them. They’re great people [and] I think they have really good potential,” Nick Saban said.

“Other than that, they’re the kind of guys we want. And I think they fit the profile of what we need at the position.”