Nick Saban, Alabama ace two tests while grappling with another | Opinion

Nick Saban.

Three growing college football trends – NIL deals, player transfers and bowl game opt-outs – claim center stage during this winter acquisition period in which player maneuverings garner as much attention as postseason games.

NIL, that’s no problem for Alabama.

(Peep the latest recruiting rankings, where Alabama’s robust 2023 recruiting class ranks No. 1 nationally.)

How about opt-outs? Nope, Alabama’s stars, Bryce Young and Will Anderson Jr., opted in to the Sugar Bowl.

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That leaves the transfer carousel as an exception that’s taking a bite out of the Crimson Tide.

But even as the sport evolves, Alabama remains built to last.

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Saban’s greatness as a coach is tied in part to his ability to change with the sport, and Alabama’s recruiting machine continues to flourish even as players leverage their ability into third-party deals.

On the other hand, the transfer trend is proving to be an evolution not even Saban can rebuff. Alabama will be shorthanded for the Sugar Bowl after a wave of outbound transfers. Alabama wide receivers and offensive linemen, in particular, flooded the exits.

No more, and not just because a Georgia-sized juggernaut now resides in the East.

At the first sign of discontent or a lack of playing time, poof, a player can be into the portal and bound for another Power Five roster. Alabama cherry-picks some top inbound transfer talent, but while Alabama amasses quality, the quantity of outbound traffic is a steady stream that will affect Saban’s ability to stash a seemingly endless army of talent on his depth chart.

“There’s been a lot of work that’s gone into this year, and I just get another chance to play with my brothers,” Young said.

While Young and Anderson relished one last game with Alabama, several teammates struck out a new path in the portal.

That’s Saban’s new reality. He can only control so much, especially when it comes to players leaving.

Most important is signing tomorrow’s stars and then developing them into leaders like Young and Anderson.

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