Nick Saban’s new office has stirred interest, particularly after he was spotted with two five-star in-state recruits during the final weekend of official visits in June. This casual meeting quickly sparked speculation about Saban’s continued influence over Alabama football recruiting. However, insiders familiar with the program suggest that his involvement in that weekend was a rare occurrence, not indicative of a return to active recruiting.
The three recruits who met with Saban—Ezavier Crowell, Cederian Morgan, and Tank Jones—are all standout players from Alabama. While the encounter generated excitement online, sources indicate that it was a special moment for these local recruits rather than a sign of Saban’s re-engagement in the recruiting landscape. In fact, Saban has largely stepped back from the day-to-day operations following his retirement. He has remained on the payroll at a substantial figure of around $500,000 annually but spends most of his time away from the football facility and was mostly absent from the state in June.
Saban’s focus has shifted towards his new ventures, including commitments to ESPN and personal business projects, suggesting his days of active recruiting are behind him. The discussions around the current 2026 recruiting class indicate that the recruiting efforts and commitments are primarily the work of head coach Kalen DeBoer and his staff.
In total, Alabama has gained 19 commitments for the 2026 recruiting class, with Saban only meeting briefly with a couple of them. As emphasized by the mother of one five-star commit, the coaching staff is heavily involved in recruitment, with the main efforts centered on coaches like Christian Robinson rather than Saban.
Moving forward, while Alabama’s recruiting landscape continues to develop, it appears that the program will thrive under the leadership of its dedicated staff rather than Saban’s intermittent involvement. This transition could signify a new era for Alabama football, allowing fresh strategies and approaches to flourish.